Welcome Back!
We’d like to give all our members a very warm welcome back to Dubai, for those of you who have been travelling. Those who have stayed we hope you have enjoyed and made use of our fabulous temporary courts at the Madinat Arena.
Lots has been happening over the summer period so read on to find out how everyone got on in the various tournaments over the summer and how we raised an incredible amount of money for the Dubai Autism Center. Find out what Simon Roberts has been up to at Wimbledon! We also have news of exciting upcoming events.
If you’re feeling sluggish and fancy getting back into shape, check out all our activities in our various locations, every day of the week! There’s bound to be something that appeals. Also, cardio tennis is back by popular demand. A great, fun workout for those of us who want a break from the gym.
We’d just like to remind all players when visiting our courts in local communities, to be mindful of the residents when parking near their properties. Thank you!
Tournament news
Mens Open Singles Competition
The men are well underway with their competition, with players about to undertake the Quarter finals this weekend.
13 and Under Boys and Girls Competition
Registration is now open for this event which will be held on weekend of 23rd and 24th September.
14 and Under Boys and Girls Competition, and 18 and Under Boys and Girls Competition
Both events take place this weekend. Registration is now closed for these events.
17 and Under Boys and Girls Competition
Registration is now open for this event which will be held on weekend of 23rd and 24th September.
Good luck to all participants!
Player Interview
This week’s interview is with our lovely Rackets Academy Ladies League Player, Rebecca Behroozian
1. Who is your favourite professional player (male & female)?
Federer, Agassi & Graf (oldies but goodies)
2. Who is your favourite Rackets Academy Coach?
My favourite Coach nomination has to be Sean, he’s had to put up with me the longest!
3. Why do you love tennis?
I love tennis because it’s a team sport which means I can burn calories whilst chattering away to other people at the same time!
4. How did you get into tennis?
I got into tennis because it was my Dad’s favourite weekend activity, so basically, he’s to blame for my dodgy habits!
5. How long have you been playing tennis for?
I started playing tennis with my family when 8 or 9yrs old but nothing serious until school and then after that nothing at all until joining Rackets Academy in 2017
6. List 3 things you like about Rackets Academy:
1. Other fab players
2. Coaches
3. Coffee & chat after tennis!
Player of the Week
Huge congratulations to Leon Wojciechowski who has been awarded Player of the Week for his part in an epic 3-and-a-half-hour match last weekend against Ayaan Malek in the 12 & Under Boys and Girls tournament. It was a truly great effort from both players and a highly entertaining match showcasing super tennis skills.
‘Ace for Good’ fundraiser for Dubai Autism Center
We are so excited to be able to announce that following an incredibly successful charity initiative by our very own Hussein Nada and a fellow student from the American School of Dubai we have been able to hand over a cheque to the Dubai Autism Center for the staggering amount of 131,000aed
Nada created a tournament called “ACE FOR GOOD” to connect tennis lovers to play and support a good cause. The tennis matches featured some of Dubai’s top players from different nationalities and age groups. The tournament raised funds for the Dubai Autism Center through players participation fees over two weekends in April, and the support of numerous sponsors such as Brand for Less, Daoud Group, Loca Restaurants, Head, Marina Pharmacy Group, The Flower Company and many others.
A massive thank you to everyone who donated, participated and supported the event.
Tip of the Week
Aim for the opponent’s feet says Coach Simon
If a net player receives a volley, their best bet is to aim for the opposing net players feet when returning the shot. Low volleys are more challenging to hit than high volleys. The closer you get to the net, the lower and harder you can aim. At the very least you’ll force the other net player to hit a defensive shot up in the air that you can hopefully put away.
Good Luck Ethan!
We’d like to wish Ethan Milgan all the very best as he jets off to play at the IMG Tennis Academy this term in California before he starts College!
Simon ‘The Machine’ Roberts
Wimbledon Success
Many congratulations Coach Simon on winning the +35 British Closed Grass Court Championship this summer. Simon commented that ‘it was a great experience just to play at Wimbledon on the grass and to win the tournament was amazing’. We are so proud of you Coach Simon
Madinat Arena -you’ve been amazing!
It is beyond doubt, that if you’ve stayed in Dubai this summer the use of our 3 indoor tennis courts and 2 padel courts will have been a very welcome addition. They’ve been a huge success enabling members to maintain playing tennis and padel over the period.
They have also been wonderful for the kids’ summer camp, giving them so much space to run around and burn off energy in air-conditioned comfort.
We started our summer of indoor tennis with a Ladies Double Indoor League which ran from 20th May to 24th June, inviting all Ladies League players to compete in a Box League format. We had some amazing matches with promotions/relegations after week 3 which ensured a good mixture of matches and competitive tennis! We met some lovely new ladies during this time to add to our Winter Ladies League which is about to start! Congratulations to the winners of each Box Division:
Kate and Bex won Box A
Nicola and Andrea won Box B
Mary and Rafa won Box C
Charles and Stephanie won Box D
Katya and Joelle won Box E
18th June we held a Husband & Wife Summer Tournament at the Indoor Madinat Arena venue. Each couple played a box league of both tennis and padel. The top two pairs couldn’t be separated which left us with a tie for first place. John & Nicola Keeling drew 4-4 with Kate Sidey and Rachael Robinson… it was a great way for husbands to meet the wives we all talk about, and drinks were discounted afterwards at Perry & Blackwelders!!!
1st July we held an end of season fun tennis and padel Round Robin event at Madinat Arena. The coaches headed up each team and competed against each other with their players.
Congratulations to Jordan and his team: Kate, June and Stephanie, who won the Golden trophy!
7th July – 25th August we held weekly sessions for all ladies in Dubai during the summer at the Madinat Arena. Everyone got to mix together to play doubles and games. It was a great way to keep in touch and keep the fun going as the weather got hotter!
29th August – 5th September, Rackets Academy hosted a UTR ranked Ladies Doubles Indoor League. Congratulations to Maria and Christine who beat Nicola and Andrea in the finals. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Ladies League
We sadly said goodbye to some of our lovely community this summer:
Lory, Trine, Caz, Elena, Izabela and Merel. Good luck in your new adventures’ ladies!
The Winter Rackets Academy Ladies Double League is due to start on Wednesday 29th September. We have many teams ready to compete for the prestigious trophy! Each team have started their training – let the competition commence!
Fun fact of the Week
Why do they say LOVE in tennis?
One school of thought is that in tennis, love is a word that represents a score of zero, and has been used as such since the late 1800s. It’s not perfectly clear how this usage of love came to be, but the most accepted theory is that those with zero points were still playing for the “love of the game” despite their losing score.
Socials
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Have a great week!
Rackets Academy