Bob Travel

The French Open is a major tennis tournament that is held in Paris in the late spring/early summer. The tournament attracts people from all over the world, turning even the unlikely people into hardcore tennis fans. People revel over the excitement that unfolds in the tournament; celebrities come out to cheer on their favorite player, delicious food is served, and champagne is popped with each serve of the tennis racket. It’s a joyous occasion that everyone can appreciate.

Just after the French Open 2009 is the Wimbeldon tennis tournament. Just as thrilling, Wimbeldon is the tennis tournament of champions. Only a few tennis greats have ever won both tournaments, including Andre Agassi, Rod Laver, Borg, and Nadal. Wimbeldon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and receives the highest regard in the professional tennis world. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments and takes place over two weeks in mid-summer. Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament played on grass courts, and the French Open is on clay courts.

One of the greatest Wimbeldon tennis traditions is the eating of strawberries and cream. People gather around the London city’s world-famous fruit and take in the beauty of the scenery. There is also a royal patronage and dress code for all competitors, in respect for the tournament’s players and the surrounding location. Both tennis tournaments are staples of summer, and a celebrated tradition for people across the world.

The Municipality of Dubai is gaining a reputation as a premiere destination for international sports competition. Over the last ten years the region, which is more famous for its stifling desert heat and the many luxury hotels Dubai UAE, has committed itself to building state-of-the art facilities, such as those in Dubai Sports City, and to attracting international talent with large appearance fees and some of the richest purses in sports.

In 2008, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon became the world’s richest long-distance running event. Organizers offered $250,000 for both the men and women winners. There was an additional offer of $1 million for setting a world record. The race is held each year in January.

Golf is popular sport in the UAE. Both the Dubai Desert Classica and the Dubai World Championship tournaments are held each year. In 2009 the European Tour is hosting a “Race to Dubai.” A record $1.66 million will go to winner of this points race between the top 60 money winners that culminates at the Dubai World Championship in November. The total purse is a record-setting $10 million.

The richest horse race in the world has consistently been the Dubai World Cup. Held in March each year, the 2009 World Cup $6 million prize was won by Well Armed. Six other races, some with total prizes of over $21 million are held on the same day. These include the Dubai Duty Free, the Dubai Sheema Classic, and the UAE Derby.

Tennis stars gather in Dubai in February for the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championship. This is a hard court tournament featuring both men’s and women’s events. The Legends Rock Dubai tournament is part of the Outback Champions Series. It is held each November and has featured senior tennis players such as Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Michael Stich, Peter McNamara, ang Guy Forget.

Rugby is another popular sport in Dubai. In earl March 2009, the city was host to the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens. This included the first ever Womens’ World Cup Sevens which was won by Australia