Djokovic To The Rescue
World number one Novak Djokovic now has a vested interest in the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project at the Burj Al Arab, after he named one of the turtles in the project on Friday. Novak is in town ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this week, aiming to recapture the title he held from 2009-2011.
Novak was first introduced to two young critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles that are under primary rehabilitation at the Burj al Arab facility, which is run in collaboration with Dubai’s Wildlife Protection Office. He then met a larger turtle that had completed its primary rehabilitation which he named Leonardo, which was Novak’s favourite mutant ninja turtle character as a young boy.
Novak then helped transport the 30 kilo turtle to the rehabilitation pen at Mina A’Salam, and was invited to return to tag Leonardo when he is ready for release in May. The project has been in operation since 2004 and has helped to secure the release of more than 550 rescued sea turtles. Once Leonardo is tagged and released, Novak will be able to track him on seaturtle.org.
Play in the Championships commences on Monday 25 February, and features a stellar line-up that, along with Djokovic, includes defending champion and five time Dubai winner Roger Federer, flamboyant Frenchman Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga, Davis Cup winner Tomas Berdych and 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which continues until 2nd March, is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and 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.
Tickets for the event are on sale from the Box Office at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud which is open from 9am to 9pm daily. Grandstand ticket prices range from 50dhs for opening rounds to 450dhs for finals.
For further information about tickets, prices and the tournament visit phone the call centre on +971 4 4172415.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Feb 24, 2013
Back