Mansour Bahrami to play two games in Dubai

Legendary tennis player Mansour Bahrami has confirmed his presence for a couple of exhibition matches in Dubai at the end of this month.

Bahrami, a supreme entertainer on the court, will be joined by former Indian Davis Cup player Zeeshan Ali, Tunisian WTA women's player Selima Sfar and the UAE's top player, Omar Behroozian.

"In all likelihood, it will probably be Behroozian and Bahrami versus Zeeshan Ali and Selima," stated Eric Gottschalk, chief organiser of the event put together by the Jumeirah Beach Club.

The Iranian-born naturalised French citizen taught himself tennis while working as a ballboy in his native Tehran. After the political upheaval in Iran in the late 1970s, Bahrami went to France. However, work and travel restrictions made it tough for him to pursue a sport he loved so much. By the time he received French citizenship, he had turned 30 and well past his best tennis days.

However, what Bahrami is best known for is his vast repertoire of trick shots.

"Bahrami is a great ambassador of tennis and having him here is going to be a great boost for the game," stated Gottschalk.

"It's very much like a dream come true, especially for the young players who are aspiring for tennis greatness," he added.

Bahrami's exhibition games will be held over two days the first one on February 28 at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the second one at the Jumeirah Beach Club on March 2.

"The timing of the event too is perfect as it coincides with the Dubai Open," Gottschalk added. "I must put on record the role played by one of our members Farbod Dowlatshahi as he got us in contact with Bahrami," he said.