Ex-Wimbledon champions Cash and Krajicek to headline Abu Dhabi event

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  • Stars of the show: Along with Pat Cash, Richard Krajicek (l) and Younes El Aynaoui (r) will headline Tennis at the Palace.

    Former Wimbledon champions Pat Cash and Richard Krajicek will headline a spectacular field in a brand new tennis event that is set to be added to the Abu Dhabi calendar next year.

    The tournament, dubbed Tennis at the Palace, will bring some of the sport’s most iconic lawn tennis legends for a three-day event that will be staged on purpose-built grass court in the lavish surroundings of the Emirates Palace from March 12-14, 2015.

    Cash, a Wimbledon winner in 1987, and Krajicek, a champion at SW19 in 1996, will be joined by one of the most entertaining players in legends tennis, Mansour Bahrami, who is nicknamed the Court Jester for his unbelievable trick shots on court.

    Also confirmed for the tournament are former world No14, Younes El Aynaoui of Morocco, ex-world No7 Peter McNamara of Australia and 1986 French Open runner-up Mikael Pernfors of Sweden.

    The event – the first tennis tournament to be held on grass in the UAE – will feature singles and doubles and will renew some of tennis’ exciting rivalries from the 80’s and 90’s.

    The tournament is a collaboration between local Emirati businessman Khalifa Faraj Bin Hamoodah, Strawberries and Cream, and the Emirates Palace and the organisers are describing it as “a quintessentially British garden party featuring tennis from grand slam legends”.

    “Tennis at The Palace will be a thrilling event where guests will be entertained by superb players on and off the courts,” said tournament director, Vicky Collins.

    “With the grand stand and guest seats designed to keep everyone close to the action, Tennis at The Palace will exude an intimate atmosphere that will allow the players’ personalities to shine through. We couldn’t have chosen a better venue for this elegant party than Emirates Palace, and Abu Dhabi’s refined setting and great weather will definitely add to the enjoyment.”

    Guests will be treated to first class hospitality and outstanding cuisine courtesy of Emirates Palace and can choose the option of attending on all three days or on selected days. Attending the announcement at the Emirates Palace were Krajicek and El Aynaoui, who are thrilled to take part in the inaugural edition of what is planned to become an annual fixture in the UAE capital’s busy sports calendar.

    “This hotel (Emirates Palace), someone sent me an email once about this incredible building with so many rooms and now I’m staying in it,” Krajicek told Sport360°.

    “I’m very excited about this event, especially that I found out we will be playing on grass. It’s going to be fun and I heard the weather isn’t so hot in March so it’s going to be great.”

    El Aynaoui has played in the Dubai ATP event on 10 different occasions, finishing runner-up in 2002, but this will be the first time he competes in Abu Dhabi.

    “I’m always happy to be back in this region,” said the 43-year-old Morrocan – a winner of five career ATP titles and a four-time grand slam quarter-finalist.

    “It’s great to play on grass here. It’s going to be very interesting… Pat Cash, all those Wimbledon champions… It’s totally different to what the people are used to here – the Mubadala exhibition is usually quite serious. We’ll be interacting with the crowd, it’s more relaxed and people will enjoy it more.”

    The schedule is detailed below and tickets are now on sale at www.tennisatthepalace.ae.

    Thursday March 12 2015 – Twilight Tennis

    18:00 – The Royal Box and Royal Enclosure opens for guest arrival
    19:30 – Exhibition tennis commences
    21:30 – Close of play followed by Official Players’ After Party hosted by Emirates Palace

    *Please note close of play is an approximate time

    Hospitality badge for The Royal Enclosure is priced at Dh1,500

    Friday March 13 – Ladies’ Day

    13:00 – The Royal Box and Royal Enclosure opens for guest arrival
    14:30 – Exhibition tennis commences 16:30 – Afternoon Tea
    17:00 – Tennis resumes
    18:00 – Close of play
    18:30 – Official Player Party begins

    *Please note close of play is an approximate time

    Hospitality day badge for The Royal Enclosure is priced at Dh1,950

    Saturday March 14 – Finals’ Day

    13:00 – The Royal Box and Royal Enclosure opens for guest arrival
    14:30 – Exhibition tennis commences
    16:30 – Afternoon Tea
    17:00 – Tennis resumes
    18:00 – Close of play followed by Official Trophy Presentation
    18:30 – Official Player Party begins

    *Please note close of play is an approximate time

    Hospitality day badge for The Royal Enclosure is priced at Dh1,750

    Please note Royal Box admission is restricted to sponsors and strictly by invitation only

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