Leander Paes teaches tennis at the Dubai Duty Free Children of Determination Clinic

Over 150 children participated in an exciting morning on the tennis courts at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships yesterday in the Dubai Duty Free Children of Determination Clinic. Children from Dubai Autism Center, Dubai Center for Special Needs, Al Noor Training Centre, Manzil Centre and Rashid Center enjoyed tennis lessons and received a very special visit from Leander Paes – the Doubles legend who is his retiring this year as well as ATP players Edouard Roger-Vasselin, Raven Klaasen and Oliver Marach.

Leander Paes said: “Being my last year in Dubai, it's a privilege to be included and personally being able to give back to these children of determination via such engagements. Opportunities to bring a little cheer to their lives is something most of us pros truly enjoy partaking in. Their enthusiasm is infectious and seeing them smile is genuinely uplifting. Well done to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships team for always championing community responsibly."

The Children of Determination Clinic is specifically designed to offer a fun and complete tennis experience for children with special needs, and the players were extremely pleased to be a part of it. Roula Sabella from Dubai Centre for Special Needs said: “Dubai Centre for Special Needs children look forward to this every year and they enjoy a lot. Thank you very much for organising such a great event.”

CF Tennis Academy Coach said, “ It was indeed a superb morning, our coaches had the best time, it really was one of the best days, all the coaches agree on it! This clinic gives the kids the chance to play and interact. It gives the kids a chance to perhaps do something and play some sports that maybe they haven’t had the chance to before.”

Tournament Director, Salah Tahlak was delighted to see the children enjoying the day: “The Dubai Duty Free Clinic is a very important part of our community outreach programme and it is wonderful to see the children getting an opportunity to meet some professional tennis stars and play some tennis with them, this is an initiative we will continue for years to come.”

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships continue until February 29 with world No. 1 and Wimbledon and Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, ATP Finals and recent Marseille winner Stefanos Tsitsipas, and 2020 Rotterdam and Montpellier champion Gael Monfils