As the professional tennis season gathers steam in Europe this month with the French Open less than two weeks away, fans of the sport here in the UAE can start getting themselves in the mood for Roland Garros by experiencing some fun local tennis.
With the weather here yet to reach its scorching worst, there’s still just enough time for a two-week competition that will bring together the UAE tennis community for some thrilling action.
The Emirates Tennis Academy Open will start on Friday and will run until May 30 at the courts of the Rochester Institute of Technology in Silicon Oasis, Dubai.
The tournament is sanctioned by Tennis Emirates – the official governing body for the sport in the country – and is the first UAE ranking adult event to be held in Dubai event this season following two successful ones in Abu Dhabi.
Players won’t just get a chance to compete, but they will also get to add points to their national UAE ranking.
The competition will include men’s and women’s qualifying followed by men’s and women’s main draw matches.
The men’s singles events will see 65 participants battling through four rounds of qualification.
Four players will then qualify and will have a chance to challenge a main draw composed of 12 former and current ATP players, coaches, as well as two of the best juniors in the country. The men’s doubles draw also promises to be an exciting affair with 32 players set to take part.
A total of 16 teams will be divided into a qualifying event and a main draw.
The women’s draw will consist of a mix of competitive players and intermediate-level players.
The main draw features some interesting talent and will be headlined by Emirates Tennis Academy junior Rikeetha Pereira, who was ranked as high as 244 in the world junior rankings.
Egyptian Fed Cup player and ex-world No32 in juniors, Magy Aziz will also participate.
His Highness Sheikh Saeed bin Hasher Al Maktoum will be representing the UAE charge in the men’s draw, while Iranian Davis Cup player Amirvala Madanchi, is amongst the young talent featuring in the field.
The event is sponsored by Doctoruna, Cocoona, Dubai refreshments, and Red Bull.
If you’re a tennis fan, then make sure you’re courtside for this event.
