Tennis Champions to Serve-Up a Treat in Dubai
- Icons in the world of tennis set to appear at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships -
Dubai, UAE, February 24th, 2008: Tennis champions Ilie Nastase, Mansour Bahrami, Peter McNamara and Pat Cash will make star appearances at the 2008 Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships where they will participate in various Pro-Ams and Kids Days as Barclays Ambassadors.
British legend Virginia Wade and fellow British TV Presenter and former tennis star Annabel Croft will also be arriving in Dubai to participate in the Pro-Ams and watch the greatest field in the history of the tournament in action when the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships begins tomorrow (Monday, 25th February).
John Beddington, Barclays’ Tennis Consultant, is responsible for inviting the tennis icons to the award-winning tournament. As former Tournament Director and Chairman of the Canadian Opens, former International Vice President of Racquet Sports for IMG and member of the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame, Beddington has used his expertise and credentials to bring the tennis personalities to Dubai.
“I’m sure that these great champions will thoroughly enjoy being involved in the hugely successful Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships. We all know what a superb tournament Dubai Duty Free has organized and developed since its inception in 1993,” said Beddington.
John Feaver, former member of the British Davis Cup team and holder of the record number of aces in one match at Wimbledon for over 30 years, will also be in Dubai to enjoy the glamorous city and assist with the Pro-Ams and Kids Days.
Virginia Wade will be making her first trip to Dubai. Wade is particularly remembered for winning the women’s singles title at Wimbledon in the tournament's centenary year on July 1, 1977, the last time a Briton has won a singles title there. Wade's victory is also memorable as it was during Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee year and notably the last match the Queen attended at Wimbledon.
Australian Pat Cash is also best remembered for winning the Wimbledon men’s singles title in 1987 and is a regular visitor to Dubai.
“Pat Cash absolutely loves Dubai, as does Mansour Bahrami. They are delighted to be returning to not only watch excellent players on court, but also be involved in the tennis clinics and Barclays organized Pro-Ams,” added Beddington.
Charismatic Romanian, two-time Grand Slam champion and former tennis world number one, Ilie Nastase will join the list of icons in Dubai. Nastase, who is famous for his on-court antics and amusing one-liners, will provide great entertainment and add to the prestige of the tournament by participating in Pro-Ams and clinics as a Barclays Ambassador.
Play at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, which is 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, begins on February 25th 2008 with the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournament, and is followed by the ATP event from March 3rd to 8th.
For further information: Nimtaz-Tanya Noordin, Promoseven Sports Marketing, M: + 971 50 154 7355; E: nimtaz.noordin@promoseven.com
