Tennis has quickly become one of the most popular sports in the Emirates. Some of the best tennis players in the world came to Dubai to play in the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships just this past February 2010. The following tennis courts are highly recommended for their popularity, ambiance, and facilities.
Dubai Tennis Stadium
Located at the Aviation Club, it was inaugurated in 1994 and has since hosted the annual Dubai Tennis Championships. The Dubai Tennis Stadium was voted “Best Venue” by players on the ATP World Tour for three years in a row, signaling how the location has become a place not only renowned for tennis, but for entertainment. It is comprised of a 5,000-seat center court, VIP area and Royal enclosure, press office, press interview rooms, Sportsworld Media Group offices, TV commentary offices, and locker rooms. When the stadium is not used for the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championship, it becomes a venue for international music stars such as Enrique Iglesias, Bryan Adams, and Sting.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
One of the most superb beach resorts in the city, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a five-start lifestyle destination offering a range of leisure and recreational activities. The resort is complete with six floodlit tennis courts making it one of the most popular places to play in Dubai. It also is equipped with five swimming pools and one multi-purpose floodlit court, definitely making it one of the best tennis hangouts in town.
Quay Health Club at the Medinat Jumeirah
The Quay Health Club at the Medinat Jumeirah is catered to the most religious follower of fitness. It is open to all adult members and a few privileged club members. It is equipped with five floodlit tennis courts and two championship squash courts in addition to aqua aerobics, fencing, yoga and swimming clinics. Professional tennis coaches offer lessons to all ages and skill. There are also tennis clinics that allow the visitor to arrange for a series of lessons over their stay.
Dubai Tennis Academy
A world-class tennis academy located in Dubai, the Dubai Tennis Academy is one of a kind for a city like Dubai. The academy offers coaching for all levels, whether adult, beginning, or advanced as well as personalized tennis programs for individual requests. There are also low number per court which means that each player receives maximum individual attention. Perhaps the only tennis academy in Dubai of such caliber, serious players residing in the city should check it out.
Burj Al Arab’s Helicopter Pad turned into Tennis Court
Burj Al Arab, the world’s seven-star hotel, has a helicopter pad measuring a height of 200 meters that has been converted into a tennis court. During the Dubai Tennis Open in 2005, Rodger Federer and Andre Agassi played an exhibition tennis match on the pad. Tiger Woods also played on the helicopter pad in 2004 and a few balls were said to have gone flying into the sea. The raised helicopter pad turned into a tennis court is a true spectacle to witness. It is one of the recent exceptional Dubai creations over the last few years which make you want to look twice to ensure that you can believe your eyes.