Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

 

Pretty much anybody who is anybody in tennis will be in Dubai over the next couple of weeks in one of the biggest of the non-Grand Slam tournaments. The $2 million Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is certainly a big deal.

Eight of the top ten ranked men will be in the city, which has already become a serious sporting destination, while seven of the top ten women will also be there. Interestingly, the women play in week one, starting on Monday, and then the men are in action in week two.

Since its inaugural tournament in 1993, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships has consistently showcased the world's best players in competition and also in spectacular locations around Dubai.
The Dubai Tennis Championships (also known as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for sponsorship reasons) (formerly known for sponsorship reasons as the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships and the Dubai Duty Free Men's and Women's Championships) is a professional tennis tournament owned and organized by Dubai Duty Free and held annually in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on outdoor hardcourts. The tournament organizes both a men's and women's event. The tournament takes place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.


In 2005, two ATP World Tour Champions - Andre Agassi and Roger Federer - scaled the Burj Al Arab for a friendly practice session atop the helipad at the iconic hotel.

 -- click here for more info --

The respective winners of the recent Australian Open are ready to follow their success down under with a good showing in the Middle East.
For the women, Justine Henin and Venus Williams have enjoyed themselves over the years, with four and two wins each respectively, but last year the crown went to Caroline Wozniacki.
The Dane was knocked off the number one spot just last month after her quest for a first Grand Slam win ended in failure in Melbourne. Now the number four in the world, she has her sights set on the winner of the Australian Open and the new number one, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Wozniacki will have to do better than last week, when she was knocked out of the Qatar Open early by Lucie Safarova, despite having three match-points.
"I just want to get out of here. You don't want to stay when you lose a match like that," Wozniacki said, and added, “It's really disappointing but you have to move on.”
Azarenka returns to the Middle East in much better shape than she was a year ago when defeats in Doha and Dubai almost prompted her to quit the sport.
"My mum told me to come home and rest, and not be crazy about it,” she said. “And my gran pointed out there are things so much harder in life than tennis matches.”
“Last year I was in a bit of a mess. I couldn't control any of my emotions. I had to change my mentality. So now I don’t try to, you know, think ‘why is this happening to me?’ Instead I just try to accept and deal with it.”
Novak Djokovic has dominated men’s tennis in the past few years and Dubai has been no exception with the last three titles going the Serbian’s way.
Already, 2012 couldn’t have gone better. He won the Australian Open and last week was given his country’s highest honor, Order of the Karadjordje’s Star of the 1st degree by Serbian president Boris Tadic.
He’s going to take some stopping soon...

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 ATP (Men's)

• Name: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
• Category: ATP World Tour 500
• Place: Dubai, U.A.E
• Date: 27.02.2012-03.03.2012
• Draw Size: S-32 D-16
• Surface: Hard
• Prize Money: $ 1,700,475
• Total Financial Commitment: $ 2,313,975
• Ticket Hotline: +9714-224-4568

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WTA (Women's)

• Prize Money: $2,000,000
• Surface: Hard/Outdoors 
• Tournament Director: Salah Tahlak

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Dubai Tennis Stadium:

The Aviation Club is home of The Dubai Tennis Stadium which was inaugurated in 1994 and has hosted the Dubai Tennis Championships ever since. The state-of-the art stadium is home to the prestigious centre court that has hosted tennis stars Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic, Venus & Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport and many more.

The Dubai Tennis Stadium was voted "Best Venue" by players on the ATP Tennis Tour for three consecutive years.

Tournament Schedule :

Day Date WTA Rounds
Sat 18-Feb Qualifying Women's
Sun 19-Feb Qualifying Women's
Mon 20-Feb 1st Round
Tue 21-Feb 2nd Round
Wed 22-Feb 3rd Round
Thur 23-Feb Quarterfinals
Fri 24-Feb Semifinals
Sat 25-Feb Finals

Day Date ATP World Tour Rounds
Sat 25-Feb Qualifying Men's
Sun 26-Feb Qualifying Men's
Mon 27-Feb 1st Round
Tue 28-Feb 2nd Round
Wed 29-Feb 3rd Round
Thur 01-Mar Quarterfinals
Fri 02-Mar Semifinals
Sat 03-Mar Finals

MEN
	SINGLES	DOUBLES
1993	Karel Novacek	Anders Jarryd/John Fitzgerald
1994	Magnus Gustafsson	Mark Woodforde/Todd Woodbridge
1995	Wayne Ferreira	Grant Connell/Patrick Galbraith
1996	Goran Ivanisevic	Byron Black/Grant Connell
1997	Thomas Muster	Goran Ivanisevic/Alexander Groen
1998	Alex Corretja	Mahesh Bhupathi/Leander Paes
1999	Jerome Golmard	Wayne Black/Sandon Stolle
2000	Nicolas Kiefer	Jiri Novak/David Rikl
2001	Juan Carlos Ferrero	Joshua Eagle/Standon Stolle
2002	Fabrice Santoro	Mark Knowles/Daniel Nestor
2003	Roger Federer	Leander Paes /David Rikl
2004	Roger Federer	Mahesh Bhupathi/Fabrice Santoro
2005	Roger Federer	Martin Damm/Radek Stepanek
2006	Rafael Nadal	Paul Hanley/Kevin Ullyett
2007	Roger Federer	Fabrice Santoro/Nenad Zimonjic
2008	Andy Roddick	Mahesh Bhupathi/Mark Knowles
2009	Novak Djokovic	Rick de Voest/Dmitry Tursunov
2010	Novak Djokovic	Simon Aspelin/Paul Hanley
2011	Novak Djokovic	Sergiy Stakhovsky/Mikhail Youzhny
WOMEN
2001	Martina Hingis	Barbara Rittner/ Marlene Weigartner
2002	Amelie Mauresmo	Barbara Rittner/Maria Vento Kabchi
2003	Justine Henin-Hardenne	Svetlana Kuznetsova/Martina Navratilova
2004	Justine Henin-Hardenne	Janet Husarova/Conchita Martinez
2005	Lindsay Davenport	Virginia Ruano Pascual/Paola Suarez
2006	Justine Henin-Hardenne	Kveta Peschke/Francesca Schiavone
2007	Justine Henin	Cara Black/Liezel Huber
2008	Elena Dementieva	Cara Black/Liezel Huber
2009	Venus Williams	Cara Black/Liezel Huber
2010	Venus Williams	Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez/Nuria Llagostera Vives
2011	Caroline Wozniacki	Liezel Huber/Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez

Grandstand Ticket Prices

Women's Week
CATEGORY	DAY	TIMINGS	2012
Day 1 (Feb 20)	Mon	2:00 AND 7:00 PM	50
Day 2 (Feb 21)	Tues	2:00 AND 7:00 PM	50
Day 3 (Feb 22)	Wed	2:00 AND 7:00 PM	50
Day 4 (Feb 23)	Thurs	2:00 AND 7:00 PM	150
Day 5 (Feb 24)	Fri	2:00 AND 7:00 PM	250
FINALS (Feb 25)	Sat	5:00 AND 7:00 PM	350
Total Price Per Week			900

Men's Week
CATEGORY	DAY	TIMINGS	2012
Day 1 (Feb 27)	Mon	2:00 AND 7:00 PM	50
Day 2 (Feb 28)	Tues	2:00 AND 7:00 PM	50
Day 3 (Feb 29) - SOLD OUT	Wed	2:00 AND 7:00 PM	50
Day 4 (Mar 1) - SOLD OUT	Thurs	2:00 AND 7:00 PM	150
Day 5 (Mar 2) - SOLD OUT	Fri	2:00 AND 7:00 PM	250
FINALS (Mar 3) - SOLD OUT	Sat	5:00 AND 7:00 PM	350
Total Price Per Week			900

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Arenas

The 2008 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Ausswiss 2008, an algamation of the host countries Austria and Switzerland names,will take place from 7 June to 29 June 2008.


Switzerland
Basle, St Jakob Park (capacity 42,500) - the stadium capacity is being increased for the tournament from its present level of just over 33,000. Home ground of FC Basel.



Geneva, Stade de Geneve (capacity 30,000) - opened in 2003 and the home ground of Servette FC.

Zurich, Letzigrund Stadion (capacity 30,000) - the stadium is due to open in September 2007 and will be the home ground of FC Zurich.

Berne, Stade de Suisse Wankdorf stadium (capacity 32,000) - the original stadium was the venue of the 1954 World Cup final, was demolished in 2001 and rebuilt, opening again in July 2005. Home to BSC Young Boys.


Austria

Vienna, Ernst Happel Stadion (capacity 50,000) - the stadium has held four European Cup finals.

Salzberg, Stadion Salzberg Wals-Seizenheim (capacity 30,000) - the stadium opened in 2003 and the capacity will be increased for the finals.


Innsbruck, Stadion Tivuli Neu (capacity 30,000) - home ground of FC Wacker Tirol. The stadium capacity is being increased for the tournament.


Klagenfurt, Worthersee Stadion (capacity 30,000) - the stadium opens in 2007 and will be home to FC Karnten.

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Fuwa - the Official Mascots

Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace -- and good wishes from China -- to children all over the world.

Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals -- the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow -- and the Olympic Flame.

Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name -- a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow.

When you put their names together -- Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni -- they say "Welcome to Beijing," offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games.

Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature -- the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky -- all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation.

Spreading Traditional Chinese Good Wishes Wherever They Go

In the ancient culture of China, there is a grand tradition of spreading good wishes through signs and symbols. Each of Fuwa symbolizes a different blessing -- and will honor this tradition by carrying their good wishes to the children of the world. Prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck will be spread to every continent as Fuwa carry their invitation to Beijing 2008 to every part of the globe.

At the heart of their mission -- and through all of their work -- Fuwa will seek to unite the world in peace and friendship through the Olympic spirit. Dedicated to helping Beijing 2008 spread its theme of One World, One Dream to every continent, Fuwa reflect the deep desire of the Chinese people to reach out to the world in friendship through the Games -- and to invite every man, woman and child to take part in the great celebration of human solidarity that China will host in the light of the flame in 2008.



In China's traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life.

The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among Fuwa, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring.



Jingjing makes children smile -- and that's why he brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. You can see his joy in the charming naivety of his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his black and white fur. As a national treasure and a protected species, pandas are adored by people everywhere. The lotus designs in Jingjing's headdress, which are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1234), symbolize the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to represent our desire to protect nature's gifts -- and to preserve the beauty of nature for all generations. Jingjing is charmingly naïve and optimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who represents the black Olympic ring.



In the intimate circle of Fuwa, Huanhuan is the big brother. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport -- and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And while he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuan shines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 -- and the wishful blessings of the Chinese people -- can be felt. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals -- with just a touch of China's traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing and enthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the red Olympic ring.



Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol of the vastness of China's landscape, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying's flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China. The selection of the Tibetan Antelope reflects Beijing's commitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the ethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and field events, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic ring.



Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flown beautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular. Nini's figure is drawn from this grand tradition of flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is also pronounced "yan" in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful as a swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring.

taken from official site for Olympic games

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The Beijing National Stadium

The Beijing National Stadium , also known as the National Stadium, or the "Bird's Nest" for its architecture, is a stadium under construction on the Olympic Green in Beijing, China that is scheduled for completion in March, 2008. The stadium will host the main track and field competitions for the 2008 Summer Olympics, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. It is located right next to the Beijing National Aquatics Centre.

Design

In 2002, Government officials engaged architects worldwide in a design competition. Pritzker Prize-winning architects Herzog & de Meuron collaborated with ArupSport and China Architecture Design & Research Group to win the competition. Contemporary Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, is the Artistic Consultant for design. The ground was broken on Christmas Eve December 2003, and construction started in March 2004, but was halted by the high construction cost in August 2004 and continued again. In January 2008, concerns about construction working conditions arose when it was revealed that at least 10 workers had died during the stadium's construction. Controversy also surrounded the alleged forced evictions of many residents so the construction could go ahead.


Capacity

The stadium can seat as many as 91,000 spectators during the Olympics. The capacity will then be reduced to 80,000 after the Games. It has replaced the original intended venue of the Guangdong Olympic Stadium[citation needed]. The stadium is 330 metres long by 220 metres wide, and is 69.2 metres tall. The stadium uses 258,000 square metres of space and has a usable area of 204,000 square metres. It was built with 36 km of unwrapped steel, with a combined weight of 45,000 tonnes. The stadium has some 11,000 square metres of underground rooms with waterproof walls. The stadium will cost up to 3.5 billion yuan (≈423 million USD).
Upon completion, this stadium will boast a state of the art Solar PV system produced by Suntech Power.

text taken from wikipedia

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