Clark Francis Tennis is serving up a frightfully good feast of tennis this Halloween with the CF Tennis Open Day tomorrow (Friday).
CF Tennis is opening its doors to absolutely anyone wishing to play. The best thing though is that it’s completely free.
CF Tennis is the largest provider of tennis in the Middle East. With more than 40 courts and 50 coaches nationwide it sets the benchmark for all aspects of tennis in the UAE.
Its home and flagship venue is the stunning Aviation Club courts in Garhoud, Dubai.
Home to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, this venue is synonymous with outstanding quality.
The CF Tennis Open Day, starting at 17:00 and running until 20:00, offers players of all ages and abilities the chance to play on the same courts that players like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and the Williams sisters use.
Fancy a workout but are not quite the greatest of players? Try Cardio Tennis.
Want to be a world-ranked player? Touch Tennis is an unbelievable chance to compete in one of the fastest growing sports in the world where normal people have world rankings (more than 30 such players in the UAE already).
Paul Espie, assistant director of tennis, said the open day is the academy’s unique way of “giving something back to the community”.
“The open day is a great moment, a superb opportunity to come and play for free with all of our coaches on hand with tips and advice,” said Paul.
One of those who will be there tomorrow is elite tennis coach Andres Gimeno Jr, whose father was previously ranked as high as number four in the world and won the French Open in 1972.
Paul added: “It’s always one of our most popular days of the year, we average around 150 to 200 people coming every year and it is a way for us to try and give something back to the people in the UAE.”
Paul says that 90 per cent of what CF Tennis offers is served up for kids, but they are targeting more adults this year.
“We definitely want to get more adults playing, we feel it’s often them who get left out.”
If you’re an adult keen to play more tennis, then Cardio Tennis and Touch Tennis are definitely the games for you.
“Cardio Tennis is very popular worldwide but not so much here in the UAE so we want to change that,” said Paul.
“Likewise, with Touch Tennis, which uses a quarter of the court and is played with foam balls.
“There’s a Touch Tennis world tour, with 70 tournaments played in 11 countries throughout the world and we’ve been asked to host the first grand slam in 2015. That will probably be in late January or February.”
Throughout the evening coaches will run drills, matchplay and video analysis, along with mini tennis and other special treats.
Don’t forget, it’s Halloween too and CF Tennis are offering a super prize to the player or players wearing the scariest or funniest outfits. Just remember to wear sports shoes as we don’t wish to damage the courts before the pros get on them.
What: CF Tennis Open Day
Where: Aviation Club courts, Garhoud, Dubai
When: Tomorrow, October 31, from 17:00-20:00
Cost: It's free.
Ages: Everyone's invited.
Sport360° verdict: It's an amazing opportunity for those willing to get a taste of tennis. There's so much to choose from, you will have a great time.
Contact: Paul Espie, Assistant Director of Tennis at 0567959461
