
Serena Williams' coach opened a super cool new tennis academy in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's tennis scene just hit a major ace.
The brand-new Mouratoglou Tennis Center has officially opened on Hudayriyat Island, bringing world-class courts, elite coaching and serious sporting energy to the capital – all under the vision of Patrick Mouratoglou, legendary coach of Serena Williams and current coach to Naomi Osaka.
Tucked inside the city's buzzing sports hub, 321 Sports, the centre is the latest addition to Hudayriyat Island's growing reputation as a playground for global athletes, fitness fans and now, aspiring tennis stars.
With six ITF-certified courts and a coaching philosophy rooted in performance and personalisation, passion is truly meeting precision.
Whether you're rallying for fun or chasing a spot on the pro circuit, you can get one-on-one training and group lessons to junior programmes and adult camps, all played on pristine playing surfaces and with top-tier training environments.
Led by Bram Dhaen, who's been part of the Mouratoglou team since 2021, the Abu Dhabi outpost joins a global network of elite tennis centres in Dubai, Cairo, Greece, Italy, China, Indonesia, Mexico and across the US.
It's a serious addition to the UAE's sporting landscape, creating fresh opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels to train like the best – or at least, with the best.
Hudayriyat Island is already home to some of Abu Dhabi's boldest sports and adventure spaces, from cycling tracks and obstacle courses to the biggest man-made surfing wave in the world and fitness zones. Now, with a Grand Slam-worthy tennis centre in the mix, it's officially game, set, match for the capital's status as a global sports destination.
Deepak Jain, CEO of Modon Communities, said: 'Patrick Mouratoglou's commitment to excellence fits perfectly into our vision to establish Hudayriyat Island as a global sports destination of choice and demonstrates trust in 321 Sports and Modon. In opening the Mouratoglou Tennis Center, we continue to make Hudayriyat's name among the top-tier sporting community while providing grassroots training facilities to competitors at every level.'
Patrick Mouratoglou, CEO and Founder of Mouratoglou Tennis Centers, said: 'The launch of the Mouratoglou Tennis Center Hudayriyat Island is part of our long-term strategy to bring our globally renowned training methodology to prestigious locations worldwide, reinforcing our brand's influence on the global tennis scene. With its state-of-the-art sports and lifestyle facilities, 321 Sports provides an ideal setting for our latest tennis hub.'
Open daily, 6am-11pm. 321 Sports Hudayriyat Island. mouratoglou.com.
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