Record Attendance At Kids Day

© Dubai Duty Free Tennis ChampionshipsRobert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau had fun at Kids Day.

Boys and girls of all ages from across the Gulf region, including a school from Bahrain, invaded court one to kick off the 20th Anniversary of men’s week at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud today.

More than one thousand children, a tournament record, took part in the kids day with the team from Clark Francis Tennis Academy.  "With a record 1,000 kids, we had magnificent day, the best ever here in Dubai. At one stage I had 150 children on court. We had them doing lots of activities and we also gave away prizes as part of Catch and Win," said Francis.

The Catch and Win promotion is running every day for the whole tournament. Lucky tennis fans who catch one of the 20 balls hit into the stands before the sessions can win great prizes, including finals tickets.

Joining the children on court to hit balls and hand out some advice was the tournament’s number two seed doubles team of Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau.

Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, the Tournament owners and organizers, was delighted with the turn out. "We had a great response to the Dubai Duty Free Kid’s Day which launched the women’s week last Monday, and it is fantastic to see so many children here today as we celebrate 20 years of the men’s Tournament in Dubai."

The kids were having loads of fun on court one and with lots of noise that could be heard throughout the Aviation Club, the atmosphere was electric. Karleet, 10, from Winchester School was one of the lucky kids to take part in the day. "Today’s session was lots of fun. I have only been playing tennis for one year so being on court with great coaches and players will make me get better," she said.

Tournament Director, Salah Tahlak described today’s action as the perfect way to kick off week two at this year’s championships. "With 1,000 children here it proves how popular tennis is in the middle-east. Opportunities for these youngsters such as the one today ensures that the future of the sport is bright," he said.

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The ATP tournament starting today, Monday February 27th, features defending champion and world number one Novak Djokovic, former four-time champion Roger Federer, 2012 Brisbane champion Andy Murray and Wimbledon semi-finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Tickets for the event are available from the Box Office at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud which opens from 9am to 9pm daily. Grandstand tickets can also be bought online at http://www.timeouttickets.com/. For further information about tickets, prices and tournaments visit http://www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com/ or phone the call centre on +971 4 358 9797.