It’s ‘advantage’ tennis fans as one of the UAE’s best-loved sporting events, the Dubai Tennis Championships, returns to centre court in February.
Anyone For Tennis?
February is a bumper month for sports fans in the UAE, with the highlight undoubtedly the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships – a tournament that sees some of the best male and female players come to town for two weeks of scintillating serve and volley action down at the Aviation Club in Garhoud. The excellent atmosphere plus the chance to see some of the game’s highest-ranking players in this intimate arena make this one of the country’s best-loved sporting events. This year sees a particularly strong line-up, with all of the top 10 women’s players competing, and seven of the top 10 men’s players, including the likes of Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, and Serena Williams. Reigning champions Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams will also be present to defend their titles. There is also a doubles tournament for both men and women running at the same time.
The elite status of the Championships makes Dubai one of the most prestigious events on both the ATP and WTA Tour calendars, with a total prize money of $4 million up for grabs to the winners this year.
The Women’s Open, which is in its 10th year, takes place first, from 14-20 February, with the Men’s Open, which was first staged in 1993, running from 22-27 February. Tickets are a very reasonable Dhs.30-Dhs.50 for the first three days of each week, and then Dhs.100, Dhs.150 and Dhs.200 for the quarter finals, semi finals and finals. Tickets are sometimes available on the gate for the earlier rounds, but it’s a safer bet to pre-purchase them online. See www.barclaysdubaitennischampionships.com for more details.
See The Stars
This year’s tournament looks set to feature one of Dubai’s strongest ever line-ups. Here’s the lowdown on the top ranked men and women who will be appearing.
Men
Roger Federer: Swiss world number one, pin-up and one of the game’s all-time greats; also a part-time Dubai resident. Has won the tournament four times previously.
Novak Djokovic: The defending champion after beating David Ferrer in the 2009 final, the Serb has finished as world number three for the last three years.
Andy Murray: Britain’s number one player knocked out Federer in the first round 2008, but had to withdraw through illness at the quarter final stage in 2009, so will be hoping to go all the way this year.
Juan Martin Del Potro: Towering Argentinean star who claimed his first Grand Slam in 2009 by winning the US Open.
Nikolay Davydenko: Seasoned Russian pro who beat Del Potro to win the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London in 2009.
One to watch:
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France): Rising French star who has been working his way up the world rankings over the past few seasons, in 2009 this 24 year-old became first Frenchman to finish in top 10 in back-to-back years since Yannick Noah in the mid 1980s.
Women
Serena Williams: World number one and the more successful of the two formidable Williams sisters, although Serena will be looking to get one over on reigning champion Venus this year.
Dinara Safina: Currently ranked second in the world, Safina will be hoping that a successful tournament can help her challenge to regain the number one spot she held for part of 2009
Svetlana Kuznetsova: The second-ranked of the three Russians in the world top five and the winner of four Grand Slam titles, Kuznetsova was runner up in Dubai in 2008, and won the doubles tournament with Martina Navratilova in 2003.
Caroline Wozniacki: Rising Danish star who reached her first Grand Slam final last year, losing to Kim Clijsters.
Elena Demontieva: The winner of the tournament in 2008, the experienced Russian will be looking to regain her title this year.
One to watch:
Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) – a popular player on the Tour, Ivanovic won the French Open in 2008, but has had an injury-hit couple of years since that triumph. She will be hoping a good tournament in Dubai can kick-start a successful year. Currently 21 in the world rankings.
From Deuce To Juice
An evening at the tennis is not just reserved for sports fans – even if you don’t know your break points from your basslines, a trip to the tournament makes for a great night out. The atmosphere at the ground is a relaxed, welcoming one, with the crowd made up of a mixture of colourful collections of supporters vociferously cheering on their country’s hero, occasional tennis fans and Dubai residents making the most of the big event on their doorsteps. The draw is made in advance of the tournament beginning, so if you’re keen to see a particular player then a bit of strategic planning about which day to attend is advisable – providing they haven’t suffered an early exit. Most evenings see at least two games (xchk) being played out, and refreshments, including cold beers and hot food, are served inside the ground.
The stadium itself is set in the middle of one of Dubai’s best alfresco dining areas; call in at the popular Irish Village for some pre or post tennis liquid refreshment, or choose from one of the variety of Century Village restaurants, all of which have great outdoor seating areas. Some of the highlights are listed below, and for the full range of Century Village eateries, see www.centuryvillage.ae.
Around The Ground
Sushi Sushi
This intimate venue offers a comprehensive menu of sushi and sashimi, while non-sushi eaters are equally well catered for with alternative Japanese dishes. Tuesday nights see an all you can eat offer for Dhs.169. 04 282 9908
St Tropez
Authentic French food with frogs’ legs and snails on the menu, as well as superb steaks that keep diners coming back for more. The interior of the restaurant is cosy, decorated by hundreds of black and white framed photos of celebrities. 04 286 9029
Da Gama
This recently revamped ‘fusion’ resto-bar features funky, colourful décor and a varied international menu. The range includes wagyu burgers, far-eastern stir fry and spicy seafood, plus some excellent dessert options. 04 282 3636
Irish Village
Should you fancy fish and chips (in Guinness batter) or a steak with your favourite ale, you can get it in the relaxed environment of the ‘IV’. Be it for a quick pint, hearty meal, or even a spot of local talent (musical that is), the Irish Village, with its cubby holes and large outside seating area, is like a dear old friend. 04 282 4750
The Cellar
The Cellar offers lovely dining among soaring arches, stained glass and soft gauze curtains. The international menu features favourites and innovations, with wine bargains on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The relaxed outside space has just a hint of the raucous Irish Village next door. 04 282 9333
Out Of Court
If you want to make the most of your evening in Garhoud, there are some great places in the wider vicinity of the Aviation Club too. Le Meridien Dubai is home to some entertainment gems including Australian brunch classic Yalumba and M’s Beef Bistro steakhouse, while the hotel’s Meridien Village is a great spot, containing the Village Terrace, which serves up nightly outdoor buffets, popular drinking hangouts Warehouse, Jules Bar and Dubliner’s, plus booming nightclub Alpha. The neighbouring Al Bustan Rotana houses Benihana (Japanese), Blue Elephant (Thai) and the Rodeo Grill & Bar steakhouse, while a short cab ride away are the varied attractions of Festival City and the Park Hyatt.
Kids Have A Ball
It’s not just the players who are geared up for Dubai Tennis Championships – it’s also a huge event for the 150 ball boys and girls who will be keeping the games flowing smoothly throughout the tournament. The team of Ball Kids, all of whom live in the UAE, is selected and trained by the Clark Francis Tennis Academy, and drilled twice a week from the end of November until the tournament in February to ensure they are on tip-top form for the championships.
The Ball Kids range in age from 11-16 and are grouped into teams of 10, each with a captain who is responsible for the running of the team during the tournament.
It’s a big commitment for those taking part; the Ball Kids need to be reliable, have a knowledge of the rules of the game, and ensure they keep themselves fed and hydrated on match days – particularly important given that some matches can go on past midnight. All the hard work is worth it though. Organiser Clark Francis says being a part of such a major sporting event is a great experience for the youngsters who take part. “They have the best seat in the house, and they get to work closely with the players,” he says. Parents of the Ball Kids also get tickets to watch a game as a thank-you for all the transporting of the kids to and from the training sessions and match days.
Keep an eye on www.esportsdubai.com for details on applying to become a Ball Kid for the 2011 tournament.
Inspired to play?
If seeing some of the world’s top players in action has inspired you to pick up a racket for yourself for the first time, or try to improve your existing skills, there are plenty of options for getting on court in Dubai. One of the biggest schools is Clark Francis Tennis Academy, which runs coaching at various locations, including at the Aviation Club itself (www.esportsdubai.com). Dubai Tennis Academy is based at the American University (www.dubaitennisacademy.com) and there is also an academy at Atlantis The Palm (www.atlantisthepalm.com). Dubai United Expat Tennis is an active social tennis group that organises informal and competitive games (www.dubaiunitedexpattennis.com). Many private health and fitness clubs have tennis facilities, and there are public courts available for hire in many of the city’s parks.
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