"It is very special winning here. I was prepared to manage all emotions and I did very well," Agut said after the match.

"This victory will be in my heart for the rest of my life," he added, nearly in tears of joy.

After reaching the semi-final last year and the final this year, 24-year old Pouille, who has been living in Dubai for three years, said "I hope to play this tournament again in 2019."

This year's tournament drew roughly 90,000 spectators during the last two weeks, according to DDF chairman Colm McLoughlin.