ATP Kids Day kicks-off men’s Dubai Tennis Championships

Sport360 staff 17:35 24/02/2014
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  • Day one of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships ATP tournament saw over 700 children from local schools participate in this year’s ATP Kids’ Day.

    Held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, participating students were treated to entertainment, a tennis clinic, and a special visit from top ATP players.

    Arriving as the day was getting underway were tournament number one seeds in doubles, Nenad Zimonjic and Daniel Nestor. The pair were impressed with the enthusiasm of the children.

    “It’s always great to come out and spend time with the kids, every year it improves with more and more kids in attendance," said Nestor. "It really makes a difference in growing the sport of tennis. Hopefully they will be inspired by this week and become the future champions of the sport.” 

    Conducted in partnership with the Clark Francis Tennis Academy, the event gave many of the children their first opportunity to try tennis.

    “It was an amazing success," said Paul Espie, Assistant Director of Tennis at Clark Francis Tennis Academy. "The aim of the day is to give the kids an experience which may encourage an interest in tennis; it was a great turnout and a wonderful day.

    "We also had the wonderful privilege of having Nenad and Daniel here to have a hit with some aspiring tennis players”.

    Rami Hamzeh, a grade four student at Raffles International School was delighted to participate in the day: “It was so much fun, you can play a bit of tennis and there’s a lot of music, prizes and competitions and we get to see Federer later!”

    Tournament Director Salah Tahlak described today’s action as the perfect way to kick off week two at this year’s championships.

    “We are delighted with the turnout today, it is great to see so many kids on the court, and having so much fun. “We hope that this day inspires these children to take up tennis and we hope to see them competing here someday”.

    The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and 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.

    The ATP tournament commenced on 24th February, and follows the WTA tournament which saw Venus Williams win her third Dubai title.

    The tournament features ATP world number two and last year’s winner includes defending champion Novak Djokovic, five-time winner Roger Federer, recent Australian Open semi-finalist Tomas Berdych, former US Open winner and recent Sydney champion Juan Martin Del Potro, and charismatic Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

    For further information about the tournament visit dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com or phone the call centre on +971 4 4172415.

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