Tennis Emirates Nurtures Local Talent and Tomorrow's Rising Stars

Dubai, UAE, February 28th, 2007: Tennis Emirates has hosted its second clinic at the Dubai Tennis Championships which has once again provided the opportunity for the region’s youngsters to learn from the world’s top players.

Over 20 of the UAE’s young stars, including national team players from the under-12 through to Under-18 squads, played against and learnt from the Florent Serra of France, Igor Andreev of Russia and Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia.

Time spent with the professionals helps the region’s best up and coming players to improve their game.

“This is a great opportunity for young talent to benefit from the Dubai Tennis Championships,” said Hrbaty, currently number 23 in the ATP world rankings. To do something new with their game will help them get smarter with the ball and faster on the court.”

Sixteen-year-old Hamad Ismail Jahani is the Under-16 GCC number one and his current ITF under-18 ranking is 490. “Tennis Emirates helps us develop. Today is a very good chance to learn a bit from the international professionals. My dream is to be in the top 100.”

Hamad was given a wild card to enter the qualifying rounds of the Dubai Tennis Championships. “I am very proud to represent the UAE,” he said. I was a little nervous when I played the qualifier on Saturday, but I settled into it and it was good practice. It was my first ATP match so I didn’t go into it expecting to win, but just wanted to get some good experience.”

For further information: John Rynehart, Promoseven Sports Marketing,
(T) +9714 3210008; (M) +971 50 55 96795; john.rynehart@promoseven.com