Over 500 amateur tennis players are expected to take part in the UAE’s largest tennis tournament, the Abu Dhabi Wilson Tennis Cup Presented by Healthpoint, at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City from January 24th until February 15th 2014, breaking the record set the previous year.
Launched in 2013 as the UAE’s first mass participation tennis event, the Abu Dhabi Wilson Tennis Cup Presented by Healthpoint, attracted 495 players of all ages in its inaugural year making it the largest tennis tournament ever hosted in the country.
To accommodate the high number of expected registrants, organisers have extended the tournament schedule by an extra week, from two to three, to cope with demand.
The tournament is aimed at players keen to compete against those of similar ability. Players from seven to seventy-years-old are being encouraged to take part in one of twenty-five singles and doubles sections with prizes awarded to the winners of each category. The total prize fund this year is AED 44,000.
The Abu Dhabi Wilson Tennis Cup Presented by Healthpoint draws casual amateurs as well as the country’s top players. Last year’s Men’s Open singles title was won by former Davis Cup star Peter Wessels who beat the UAE’s former number one Omar Behrouzian in a gripping final. The Ladies Open singles competition was won by Magali De Lattre.
This year’s adult tournament is being split into Open (amateurs, coaches and former professionals) and Cup (amateurs only) categories in a bid to keep it as competitive as possible.
Matches take place on weekdays from 5pm and from 9am on weekends and family and friends wanting to come down and show their support can do so for free for the duration of the event.
The tournament is supported by Wilson, the sporting goods brand associated with some of the biggest tennis tournaments and stars in the world and by Healthpoint, the brand new multispecialty and primary care hospital located on the site. The event is endorsed by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Tennis Emirates.
"We were blown away by the number of participants last year and the aim is to build on that success this year, both in terms of numbers and quality," said Barry Bremner, General Manager, Zayed Sports City.
"Zayed Sports City is known throughout the world for the excellence of its facilities, especially with the success of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
“Our aim is to have as many people from Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE experience these great facilities and to promote tennis to as wide an audience as possible.”
Managing Director NIK General Trading, Kamyar Minachi, said: “As part of the Wilson global vision and commitment to grassroots tennis activities and to help local communities to develop more the sport inside their own community, Wilson UAE is proud to support the 2ndedition of Abu Dhabi Wilson Tennis Cup Presented by Healthpoint.
“I hope this tournament can help the younger players to improve their game skills and be a platform for them to progress in 2014 and enjoy more tournaments and competitions during the year.”
Registration forms are accepted at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City.
Registration for the Wilson Tennis Cup is open now and closes for juniors on January 20thand for adults on 27th. Juniors can take part in two events and adults in three events. Contact Laith Al Ani (laith@zsc.ae) for more information.
2013 Tournament Facts:
25 Categories
27 Champions
28% of entrants enrolled in more than one category
22 people enrolled in three categories
62 enrolled in two categories
48% Adults
52% Juniors
49 Age 10 Under
73 people over 35 years old
62% from Abu Dhabi
4 International Players: Belgium, Canada, Qatar and Oman
26% Female; 74% male
AED 39,000 in prize money
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