Kids’ Day Fun For Over One Thousand Children

Day one of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships ATP tournament saw over a thousand children from local schools participate in this year’s ATP Kids’ Day. Held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, participating students were treated to entertainment, a tennis clinic for all ages and skill levels, a special visit from top ATP doubles players, and fun with tournament mascots Ace and Annette.

Conducted in partnership with the Clark Francis Tennis Academy, the event gave many of the children their first opportunity to try tennis. Francis said later “The aim of the day is to give the kids an experience which may encourage an interest in tennis, it was a great turnout and a wonderful day."

Arriving as the day was getting underway were tournament third seeds, doubles players Nenad Zimonjic and Robert Lindstedt. The pair were impressed with the enthusiasm of the children. “It’s always great to come out and spend time with the kids, every year it improves with more and more kids in attendance. It really makes a difference in growing the sport of tennis,” said Zimonjic.

Students at Dubai Indian High School were delighted to participate in the day, saying that the tennis clinic was, “So much fun and we get to see Novak later!” referring to the doubles game that Novak Djokovic will play alongside his brother Marko.

Tournament Director, Salah Talak described today’s action as the perfect way to kick off week two at this year’s championships. “With 1,000 children here it proves how popular tennis is in the middle-east. Opportunities for these youngsters such as the clinic today ensures that the future of the sport is bright,” he said.

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 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.

The ATP tournament commenced on 25 February, and follows the WTA tournament which crowned a new champion in Petra Kvitova on Saturday. The tournament features ATP world number one Novak Djokovic, as well as five time and defending champion Roger Federer.

For further information about the tournament phone the call centre on +971 4 4172415.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Feb 25, 2013

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