Becker unveils signature tennis resort in UAE

Dubai, Oct 8 (IANS) German tennis legend Boris Becker Wednesday unveiled a three-billion dirham ($816.7 million) signature luxury tennis resort in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Boris Becker Beach Resort and Tennis Academy, to be partly owned by Becker, will come up on the Al Marjan manmade island 27 km from the Ras Al Khaimah city centre.

Aimed primarily at global investors in the top-end holiday-homes segment and spread across 2.5 million square feet, the resort will offer 'buy-to-use and lease' option.

'With end-to-end luxury facilities, from residences to spa and a five-star hotel - there is simply no integrated resort of this calibre anywhere else,' Becker said in a statement.

'As a former global competitor it is also personally rewarding to bring the UAE a world-class tennis training facility, and play a role in grooming young local talent,' he added.

Becker, who will have 50 percent partnership in the academy and part ownership in the rest of the resort, will also be involved in the design of the project.

The project is being developed by real estate consultancy Middle East Vision and brought to the market by ACI Real Estate.

'Ras Al Khaimah is one of the fastest growing places in the region, with valid economic fundamentals - European and Asian investors chasing higher yields and promising capital growth will readily understand this offering breath-taking in more ways than one,' said Robin Lohmann, managing director of ACI Real Estate.

The emirate is currently one of the fastest growing in the UAE, with the population expected to grow from 150,000 to 750,000 by 2020.

Becker will co-manage the new facility with long-time friend and fellow German Davis Cup partner Eric Jelen.

He will also offer personal training sessions to a select few, and handpick coaches from across the world to groom young talent, according to the statement.

The facility will have six tennis courts with rebound-ace surfaces.

The seven-floor resort and tennis academy is slated for completion in 2010.

The Becker announcement comes close on the heels of Indian film star Shahrukh Khan's launch of a signature real estate development, Shahrukh Khan Boulevard, on Dana Island off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah.