Dubai, UAE, December 7, 2009: Following on from the successful tournaments in New York, London, and Madrid- the Dubai Duty Free – Will to Win Grand Prix came to Dubai on December 4th for the next instalment of ‘Will to Win’.

Last year the Dubai winner Michael Mmoh, won the grand finals in London. Dubai has now begun its attempt to repeat the success in 2009.

The 2009 event took place at the Aviation club on 4th December and will then move on to the grand finals 11th December at the Grand Hyatt – Dubai. The governing body of UK tennis the Lawn Tennis Association hosted the 2008 triangular finals and will be doing so again for 2009-10.

The UK event included a clinic by Elena Dementieva during Wimbledon.
Email grandprix@willtowin.co.uk for details or drop in at the Aviation club tennis office.

This 14 and under event for juniors new to competition is unique to tennis and brings together the tennis communities of London – Dubai and New York and for 2009 Madrid
The winners of the Dubai and New York events – one boy and 1 girl from each were flown to London to participate in grand finals, and each year the London winners win a fantastic prize of a trip to the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships – and the London winners will be going again February 2010.

Steve Riley – Director of Will to Win commented:
“Tennis is a great game played all over the world, we want to develop community themed tournament to be a worldwide experience for parks and public centre players. We plan to expand to more major venues for 2009-10 and will develop tennis opportunities for a wider cross section of the population than ever before. It is a fantastic opportunity for younger players from different countries to be brought together via sport.”

Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said:
“Will to Win is a great initiative that enables youngsters to compete in tennis tournaments and provides them with opportunities to travel. As owners and organizers of a major tournament, the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, we are happy to be involved with this project which promotes tennis at grassroots level.”

The UK winners went to Dubai in February 2009 as their prize to take part in the ball kid programme at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships 2008 and have coaching with top coaches in a tennis clinic. They also played their first tennis at the tennis centre in Mirdif against UAE players training with the national team with Tennis Emirates.

This is the fourth year of the event, held at the 5 Will to Win public centres in London plus Wimbledon and sponsored by Dubai Duty Free which attracted over 200 participants. The two winners of the 2007 event ‘Ben Cronin’ and ‘Freya Christie’ are pictured below, and were impressed with the development of Dubai tennis and are looking forward to competing again.

The experience has given them an insight as to the requirements of an athlete to get to the top, and develop life skills, confidence and learn about another country and its culture.

The tournament, with the first prize of the trip to Dubai (UK winners) and a trip to London (Dubai, Madrid and New York winner’s) is aimed at youngsters who play at schools, parks and public centres. It provides an opportunity for young people from all backgrounds to participate in an exciting tennis event.

The Lawn Tennis Association in London is fully supportive of the tournament that provides competitive opportunities for community tennis players, the use of community and park sites, which is vital for the growth of tennis and competition for juniors.

At the Barclays Dubai Tennis championships in Dubai, over 150 kids are trained annually- pictured above taking part in the kid’s day- where over 1000 local school children can experience tennis.

The WTW / DDF Grand Prix prize of a trip to Dubai is part of a long term programme where the kids will attend a tennis camp for a week and join in with 150 other local ball kids participate at the ATP or WTA Dubai tournaments.

Email grandprix@willtowin.co.uk for more information on the venues, dates and how to enter for 2009 or call +447957110403.

Will to Win Tennis continues to strive to break down the perceived barriers to tennis participation for all juniors and continues to play a key role in providing ‘tennis opportunities for all’ in all the venues. Prince Sports, the LTA are all supporting the event.

The event is sanctioned by Tennis Emirates- all players requiring membership to participate.