E-mail Us

It was game, set and match during the Holy month of Ramadan for over 200 people who took part in the 9th  Ramadan Grand Prize Open Tennis Tournament 2001 at the Metropolitan Resort and Beach club in Dubai.  The event was organized by the al Habtoor Group-owned resort in co-operation with Tennis Emirates under the patronage of Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum, Director of the Dubai Information Department and President of Tennis emirates.

The competition lasted from November 18 to December 12 with players from all over the UAE playing the first three rounds at courts across the country, with the finals taking place on the three championship courts at the Metropolitan Resort and Beach Club.  The tournament was held in 16 different categories for adults and children - Super Men's Singles (Pro), Men's singles, Ladies' Singles, Men's Doubles, Ladies' Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Men's Doubles for Veterans (40 years and above), Junior Under 12's, 14's, 18's (Boys and Girls singles), Junior Under 18's boys Doubles, Men's Singles Plate and Men's Doubles plate.

Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum was the guest of honour on the final day, along with Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, who joined the large crowd who turned out to watch some excellent tennis.  "It has been a good tournament, and one which has  the potential to grow even more," Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor said after the finals.  "I think it is a great encouragement for younger tennis players in the country to come forward and participate against some of the stronger players." Nine year-old Habtoor Al Habtoor was awarded as the youngest player in the tournament, while Pravin Anthony had a triumphant tournament, winning both the Men's singles and Under 18 boys titles.

Similarly, Janice tillbrook also had a successful competition, winning the Ladies' Singles and the Ladies' doubles with Katarina Rutherfort, although she was pipped into runner-up spot in the Mixed doubles, along with playing partner  Warren  V.D. Merwe, by her Ladies' doubles partner Katarina Rutherforth and Eric gottschalk.  Herculano D'Souza, Recreation Manager at the metropolitan Resort and Beach Club, said: "It has been a great competition which has been enjoyed by the spectators and all the players.  the standard of tennis has been very high, especially in the Men's and Ladies' Singles and under 18 categories.  this was the first tournament of the new season and has drawn players from across the country- from Abu dhabi, al ain, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain, as well as Dubai."

The 9th Ramadan Grand Prize Open Tennis Tournament 2001 was sponsored by Dubai National Insurance Company, Crystal Gallery, Ray Ban Glasses, Coca-Cola, Check Airlines, Gulf Arena, Dubai FM92, Jotun Paints, Fine, Aztec Trading, Khaleej Times, Head Rackets, Pen Balls, SPC International Cards and Al Awtar Music.