In singles, Novak ,oković , who had won the tournament three times in a row from 2009 to 2011, went to defend his title. His winning streak ended in the semi-finals against Andy Murray ; this was also his first defeat in 2012. Murray met in the final against Roger Federer , who reached the final of this tournament for the seventh time in his career without losing a set. There he prevailed against Murray in two sets and won his fifth Dubai title after 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007. This was the 72nd title of his career and the second in 2012.
In doubles Serhij Stachowskyj and Michail Juschny were the defending champions, but this year they played with new partners and were eliminated in the first round and in the quarterfinals. In this year's final, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna won in three sets against Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski . This was their first joint title; for Bhupathi it was the 50th title of his career, for Bopanna the fifth. Bhupathi had won the Dubai tournament in 1998, 2004 and 2008 with other partners.
The field of participants in the individual competition consisted of 32 players, that of the doubles competition consisted of 16 pairs.
The qualification took place from February 25th to 26th, 2012. Four qualifying places were played, which entitle them to participate in the main draw of the tournament.