AMATEUR TENNIS PLAYERS SERVE UP SUPPORT FOR ABU DHABI WILSON TENNIS CUP

The Abu Dhabi Wilson Tennis Cup began in style this weekend at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City, with 495 amateur players taking part in the UAE's biggest amateur tennis competition.
The Abu Dhabi Wilson Tennis Cup is the first mass participation tennis event in the country and the number of players registered for it has far exceeded the 350 expected. It means that all seven courts, including the world famous centre-court, will be used over the two week community event.
Each of the 25 singles and doubles sections, ranging from under 7s to open age, have had a high number of entries ensuring quality and entertaining tennis across the board.
Among those taking part are some of the best known players from the region who will battle it out for the inaugural title in each section.
Top of the bill is a potential grudge match in the final of the men's open between top seeded Peter Wessels and rival Omar Behroozian. The two former Davis Cup players have met twice in the Zayed Tennis Cup, with Wessels ahead 2-0.
The quality spills down through the age groups with ITF seeded players, fresh from the ITF Junior Championship held at Zayed Sports City last week, taking part in the youth sections.  
Matches take place on weekdays from 5pm and from 9am on weekends and away from the court there is fun and entertainment for all the family. Entry is free for spectators over the whole two weeks.
The Abu Dhabi Wilson Tennis Cup is organised by Zayed Sport City and PSS-Emirates, the leader in tennis coaching in the UAE and is sponsored by Wilson, the sporting goods brand associated with some of the biggest tennis tournaments and stars in the world. The event is supported by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Tennis Emirates.
Barry Bremner, General Manager, Zayed Sports City said: “This is the very first Abu Dhabi Wilson Tennis Cup and we are absolutely delighted with the response we have had from the local community.
"Our expectations have been exceeded and it shows the desire of people in the region to get fit, take part in sport and have fun.
"We have seen players of all ages and abilities take part, but events like this are very much about the social aspect of sport and this event is also something for all the family to enjoy.”
Wilson brand manager, Syed Khaja, said: "The popularity of tennis is growing very quickly in the UAE and we are delighted to be involved with such a successful event.
"It is great to see everyone from young children to former professionals taking up the challenge and it shows the power that tennis has to galvanize a community and bring it together."