Andy Roddick is ready and determined to win back the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships trophy he claimed two years ago by beating Feliciano Lopez of Spain.

The All-American, who played one of the most memorable Grand Slam matches of all time when he stretched Roger Federer to the limit in the 2009 Wimbledon final, was unable to defend his title here last year. But his early season form in 2010 has sent out a warning to Federer, defending champion Novak Djokovic and everyone else that he can reclaim his crown at the Dubai Tennis Stadium.

The 27-year-old won the title in Memphis last year and, as well as competing in that wonderful Wimbledon final, he finished as runner-up in both Doha and Washington. But his season was cut short by an injury to his left knee. After a dramatic 7-6 in the fifth set defeat by John Isner in the third round of the US Open he lost easily to 143rd-ranked Kubot Lukasz in the first round in Beijing and then retired in the opening set against Stanislas Wawrinka in Shanghai.

The injury that had hindered him for weeks finally ended his season, and although he qualified for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London he could only attend as a spectator.

That disappointment, however, is behind Roddick now and he is back to top form, as he showed by lifting the title at the Brisbane International in the opening week of January, before advancing to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

Now he is ready to launch his bid to recapture his Dubai title, knowing that he will have to test himself against many of the best players in the world. Standing in his way will be four-time winner and world number one Roger Federer, reigning champion Novak Djokovic, Australian Open runner-up Andy Murray, US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro and Barclays ATP World Tour title-holder Nikolay Davydenko.

Nevertheless, the strength of the opposition he faces at the Dubai Tennis Stadium is a major motivating factor for Roddick, as he revealed after he lifted the trophy in 2008.

“A big part of my decision to come here was to try to get a shot at the top players and I was able to do that, and success here has shown it was a good idea,” he said.

Aside from winning his 23rd career title, Roddick’s first visit to Dubai was memorable for other reasons.

“I’d heard some wonderful reports about Dubai and based on what I have seen, the city is beyond my wildest expectations,” Roddick said after a trip to the famous Mina A’ Salam, part of Madinat Jumeirah’s Arabian Resort.

“I’ve always wanted to come to this part of the world and I am certainly glad I came here and enjoyed some of the sites and warm hospitality. I really enjoy learning from different cultures and visiting new places and coming to Dubai was a great experience.”

Roddick was overwhelmed by his stay at the world famous Burj Al Arab hotel. “That hotel, I don’t know how to describe it. It’s just amazing. It’s almost like you’re not in reality – it is like another universe. It was pretty fun and something I’ll remember. They gave me a little note that said ‘Congratulations Andy’ every night and they gave me a big bouquet of flowers every night. So my room looked like Valentine’s Day”, he added.

The Championships, which begins with the Women’s Open on Valentines Day itself this year, is delighted to be welcoming back one of the game’s most recognisable faces.

“Andy Roddick is one of the most difficult players in the world to beat, as he showed with his magnificent performance against Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final”, said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free.

“His achievement in winning the title here two years ago also captured the imagination of tennis fans both in Dubai and around the world, and it gives me great pleasure to welcome him back.”

Play at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, which is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, begins on Sunday, February 14th, 2010 with the WTA Tour event and continues with the ATP tournament from Monday, February 22nd – 27th.