In a match reminiscent of an episode of game show ‘Family Fortunes’, Charles and Madeleine Gauthier teamed up to defeat Adham and Nagla Gabr to win the Mixed Doubles Cup yesterday.
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The American father and daughter team easily dispatched off the teenage Egyptian siblings 6-2, 6-0 to cap a special day in Abu Dhabi. The Gauthier’s have lived in Dubai for the last two years, but Madeleine, 17, is returning home to the States to attend college.
She is yet to decide between a choice of three universities that have all offered her a tennis scholarship, but her dream is to turn professional after her studies.
Madeleine said: “A professional career is the dream, but after college. Education comes first and that’s not just because my dad is here.
“I’m going to go to college in Florida, although I’m not sure which one yet. I’ll sign on April 15 with one of three schools that are interested in me and have offered me a scholarship.”
Charles, 47, said: “It’s her last year here in the UAE. She’s going to college in the US, so it’s special for us to play together.
“That’s what she wants to do (go to college and pursue her education). Her game’s going to go further in college and after that, yeah, I think she’s got potential to go pro.”
The dad and daughter duo enjoy playing together. “We played together last year. We like playing together and there’s a great atmosphere here at Zayed Sports City,” added Madeleine.
