Al Janahi best junior player in GCC event

Dubai: The UAE's Hamad Abbas Al Janahi was voted the best junior player at the recently-concluded GCC Teams Tennis Championships held in Manama, Bahrain.

Al Janahi, a regular with the UAE national squad for the past three years, was thrilled with the award. "I was so happy to receive the award. This is a true reward for the hard work I've put into my game," he told Gulf News after attending the final night of the BNP Paribas Tennis Camp at the Jumeirah Beach Club.

"I really did not know that I was in line for the award. And when they announced my name, I could not contain my joy," the 15-year-old smiled.

"First it was Khalid [Al Assani] and then Faisal [Bastaki]... and now me. We can be hopeful of a great future ahead of us," stated the student from the Dubai American Scientific School.

Even top coach Stephane Oberer was impressed with Al Janahi and the progress the UAE teenager has made since he last met him one year ago.

"He's been pretty impressive. But I think he now needs to learn how to train," Oberer said of the UAE national team player.

Having achieved his rightful place as the best junior in the Gulf, Al Janahi has set his goals for the future. "I want to be the best I can in tennis," he said.