Capitala tennis to be annual affair

Abu Dhabi: The Capitala World Tennis Championship, which started on Thursday at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex, is part of Abu Dhabi's emergence on the international scene and is likely to evolve into a much bigger annual affair.

Speaking to the press before the start of the three-day event which has attracted six of the world's top ten players including the top two, Peter Wilding, deputy CEO at Capitala, said, "The championship will build on its success and return with new and innovative elements to the event each year."

"The response has been fantastic so far and even before the start of the matches we have seen the children, tennis players and coaches gain a lot," he said.

While James Blake spent an hour with the under-14 and under-16 winners of the Community Cup tennis held recently, Roger Federer's presence certainly boosted the UAE national team as they picked up the finer touches from the maestro in the adjoining practice court.

World No 1 Rafael Nadal's coach also gave valuable tips to over 40 local coaches from the UAE.

"This event will contribute positively to Abu Dhabi's ongoing evolution as an international entertainment and leisure destination," Wilding said.

"Tickets have been virtually sold out and this is a great day for Abu Dhabi and for tennis," said Greg Spoule, Managing Director of IMG, the event organisers.

"TV images of the tennis action and of Abu Dhabi will reach 466 million homes and this is the first step," he said.

Tennis fans and the public got their first experience at the Abu Dhabi International tennis Complex, which has never been in the limelight despite being opened to public in 2004.

An ATP-standard centre court with an oval seating formation, which has 5,000 seats, is accompanied by six training courts.

A media viewing gallery that can accommodate up to 100 journalists along with a press conference room complete the main building which is housed inside the Zayed Sports City adjoining the main football stadium.