Dubai to host UAE ranking tennis tournament

Dubai: Promising junior Rikeetha Pereira will headline the women’s main draw as the inaugural Emirates Tennis Academy (ETA) Open tournament takes off at the RIT Silicon Oasis tennis courts on Friday.

Set to conclude on May 30, this will be the first UAE ranking tennis tournament in Dubai following a couple of similar competitions held in Abu Dhabi last month.

The men’s singles has attracted 65 participants, who will be battling over four rounds of qualifying to decide which four players will join the main draw of 12 former and current ATP players, coaches and two juniors.

The men’s doubles will see 16 pairs lining up, while the women’s singles draw is headed by promising junior Pereira, who will be joined by former Egyptian Fed Cup player Maggy Aziz.

Sponsored by Doctoruna, Cocoona, Dubai Refreshments and Red Bull with support from Dubai Silicon Oasis, this tournament will witness some high-profile participation, with Shaikh Saeed Bin Hasher Al Maktoum confirming his entry in the singles and doubles.

Tournament Director Jean-Francois Danican is excited about the start being made to assist the growth of tennis in the UAE. “We are excited with the response from some of the top players in the country. We hope people will come out and support these players,” he said.