Special needs clinic in full swing

Dubai - Children received a visit from top WTA players and tennis lessons from the Clark Francis Tennis Academy coaches.

Over 40 children were treated to an exciting day at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as they participated in the Lacoste Special Needs Tennis Clinic.
Children from Al Noor Training Centre, Dubai Centre for Special Needs and Manzil Special Needs School received a visit from top WTA players and tennis lessons from the Clark Francis Tennis Academy coaches.
The Lacoste Special Needs Clinic is specifically designed to offer a fun tennis experience for children with special needs, and the participants were delighted to be joined by WTA players Gabriela Dabrowski and María José Martínez Sánchez. Dabrowski said: "I wish I could stay here longer, it's really important for WTA and girls in our position to do things like this, it's really special.
"We had some really good hitters out there, one of the girls was so good she kept hitting the back fence and some others made contact with every single ball."
Claire Hughes, from the Clark Francis Elite Team said: "It's an absolute honour to be here today, the children are so kind and they having so much fun and it's wonderful to be part of this."
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, said "This event is all about giving back and we are proud to be a part of this. It is wonderful to see these children enjoying the tennis and being part of the tournament".
Tournament Director, Salah Tahlak was delighted to see so many children enjoying the day. "The children are delighted with this morning's clinic and it's great to see them having so much fun and have the opportunity to meet some of the top players."