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More than 2,000 children from 30 schools from Dubai and Abu Dhabi got into the spirit of things at this year's Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships with the Dugas sponsored ATP Kids Day.
Sheehab Mohammad, 13, from the Cambridge International School, said: "I had a wonderful day. I met some of the tennis stars and we received goody bags, caps and prizes which is great.
Around 200 children from Right to Play were also invited to attend the Dugas Kids Day. Right to Play is a concept which enables local Arab schools to play tennis and introduces Arab youngsters to the sport.
Doubles players Simon Aspelin of Sweden and Julian Knowle of Austria showed up and offered the youngsters advice on their serve and tips on how to improve their shot-making skills.
Knowle said: "We had a fantastic time with the kids, the turnout was great, the weather was perfect and we really enjoyed ourselves.
Star Treatment
A group of 12 children were given star treatment on the back courts of the Dubai Tennis Stadium. Doubles players Daniel Nester and Nenad Zimonji spent 20 minutes with the children, playing the game with them and giving them tips about how to improve their tennis. Among the young players was Hamoud Abbas, a rising young star who is currently ranked 270 in the International Tennis Federation. "You'll be playing here one day, the doubles stars told Abbas, who beamed at the thought. -AJ
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