FUJAIRAH: The courts of Fujairah Tennis & Country Club came alive on Friday as the highly anticipated Mado Fujairah Tennis Festival officially got underway, sending a strong message of resilience and sporting ambition despite challenging circumstances.

Held in association with the UAE Tennis Federation and under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, the festival runs until May 17 and has already attracted 157 players representing more than 40 nationalities, underlining Fujairah’s growing reputation as one of the UAE’s emerging international tennis destinations.

The tournament features 10 competitive categories designed to nurture rising talent while celebrating elite and veteran competition. Young athletes are competing across Boys and Girls Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 divisions, alongside the Men’s Open, Women’s Open, and Masters 35+ categories.

“Fujairah is proving that tennis thrives even in challenging times bringing together young talent, international stars, and the community to celebrate sport, resilience, and ambition,” said Sheikh Dr. Rashed Bin Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi.

Under the supervision of tournament referee Laith Al Ani, the opening day delivered an exciting series of matches, beginning with the Boys Under-12 category.

Top-seeded Yezid Baccouche of Tunisia comfortably advanced to the quarter-finals after receiving an opening-round bye. Ahmed Soliman progressed with a commanding 6-0, 6-3 victory over Shahryar Alimadadi, while Rafael Jurado defeated Vihaan Surve 6-3, 6-1. Akachukwu Uzokwe matched that dominance, dispatching Yanzheng Wang 6-1, 6-1.

Other standout performances included Langdi Cao, who secured a convincing 6-1, 6-0 win, while Adam Wild Ali advanced after his opponent retired while trailing 4-1.

The Boys Under-14 category witnessed some of the most one-sided results of the festival. Adam Wild Ali, competing in an older age group, delivered a flawless 6-0, 6-0 “double bagel” victory over Alexander Alnasser. He was joined in the winners’ circle by Abdulla Janahi and Kareem Zeineldin, both of whom also recorded emphatic 6-0, 6-0 wins.

The stakes remain high, with the Men’s Open champion set to receive Dh10,000, while the Women’s Open winner will earn Dh5,000, alongside vouchers and trophies awarded across the various divisions.

Organisers say the festival is about more than competition it is a long-term investment in building a sustainable tennis culture in the emirate.

Over the past year, Fujairah has rapidly transformed into a significant regional hub for the sport, hosting international ITF Women’s Championships, ATP Challenger events, and now one of the region’s most diverse grassroots tennis festivals. Earlier in 2026, the emirate also hosted the prestigious W100 Fujairah tournament, further cementing its status on the international tennis calendar.