Royal Patronage Of ‘Tennis at The Palace’ This Month

Sheikha Shaikha Bint Mohammad Bin Khalid Al Nahyan has extended her Patronage to the inaugural edition of Fortnum & Mason present Tennis at The Palace, an exhibition tennis event which will take place at the Emirates Palace over three days from 12^th – 14^th March 2015. Sheikha Shaikha is one of the leading supporters of tennis in the UAE and hosts the Sheikh Mohammed bin Saeed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Tennis Tournament for Emirati women.

Vicky Collins, Tournament Director, commented: “We are delighted and very honoured that Fortnum & Mason presents Tennis at The Palace will be held under the Patronage of Sheikha Shaikha. We share a passion for tennis. This event will showcase the social side of tennis. We have an amazing line up of players and fantastic hospitality to offer our sponsors and guests who attend. It was also very important to me that we provide one evening that is just catering for women in the region, hence the announcement of our exclusive ladies evening”

Showing the commitment to supporting female legends to the region the tournament has announced two Ladies Wimbledon Champions to join the line-up. Marion Bartoli and Jana Novotna who won Wimbledon in 2013 and 1998 respectively, will join the male line up of players including Tim Henman, Pat Cash, Richard Krajicek, and Younes El Aynaoui.

Sheikha Shaikha Bint Mohammad Bin Khalid Al Nahyan commented: “I am very much looking forward to the arrival of this event, tennis is a beautiful game, and it is a sport that anyone can take up at any age. It is growing in popularity in the UAE, with an increasing number of initiatives that promote women’s participation in the sport.”

Bartoli and Novotna will open the event at the unique Ladies’ Evening, described by the tournament as ‘an evening of tennis and glamour’. Ladies are invited to dress up to watch the tennis, whilst enjoying dinner provided by Emirates Palace. There will also be the opportunity to shop in the boutiques of sponsors such as Fortnum & Mason, Avenue at Etihad Towers and many other British and international brands. The event is also supported by Etihad Airways, Etihad Towers and Bentley.