Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships were played on hard courts. In the singles 28 players start, the four top seeded players receive a bye in the first round. 16 couples start in doubles.
The defending champion in the singles was Agnieszka Radwańska, she was eliminated in the quarterfinals this year. Defending champion in doubles was the duo Liezel Huber / Lisa Raymond, both of which are competing with other partners this year.
The qualification for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2013 took place from February 16 to 17, 2013. Four qualifying places were played out in four rounds, which entitle them to participate in the main draw of the tournament.