Sorana Cirstea and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships go way back.
The Romanian made her first appearance at the tournament as an 18-year-old in 2009, and recalls being “mesmerised” by the city and everything it had to offer.
Now 34, Cirstea remains infatuated by Dubai, which became her official place of residence four years ago.
A semi-finalist in the emirate last year, Cirstea has plenty of fond memories at this tournament, and not all of them included a victory.
Back in 2013, Cirstea stepped on court for a second-round clash against Italian Sara Errani only to find the late, great, Diego Maradona joining them at the net for the pre-match coin toss.
The Argentinian football legend stuck around to watch the late-night match, and later sat down with journalists to break down the clash point by point.
“I didn’t know he was going to be there and then they announced that Diego Maradona was going to do the coin toss. I was so nervous, I was more nervous about the coin toss than the actual match,” Cirstea told The National on the sidelines of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
“I remember he stayed and watched the match. I remember it like it was yesterday. Life goes by quick, so I think that’s why it’s important to enjoy every moment, enjoy every day, and make the most of it.
“I’ve definitely have great memories from here and especially with last year, making the semi-finals, having all my family watching me, and having all the support from the Romanian fans. It felt amazing.”
This year the tournament is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the women’s event, which has gone from strength to strength ever since its debut on the WTA calendar in 2001.
It was awarded permanent WTA 1000 status – the highest level of tournaments on tour outside the WTA Finals and the grand slams – last year, which explains why the vast majority of the world’s top 40 players are in town this week for this special silver jubilee edition, with serious prize money and ranking points on the line.
“I still remember the first time I was here with my coach and my mum, and I have amazing memories. I remember I was mesmerised back then in 2009 with Dubai and everything it has to offer. And fast forward and now I live here, this is my home tournament, I stay at home during the tournament. It’s amazing,” said Cirstea, who was granted a wildcard into this year’s main draw.
“You never know where life takes you but I’m very happy life took me to Dubai. I need to thank the organisers for their commitment to women’s tennis and for 25 years of improvements and every year trying to offer the best for us.
“This has to be one of my favourite tournaments on tour, not just because it’s home, but everything they’re trying to offer us.”
Cirstea advanced to the second round on Monday, with a 6-1, 6-4 upset of No 10 seed Daria Kasatkina.
It was just her second victory of the season and it meant a great deal to Cirstea, considering she spent six months on the sidelines last year recovering from foot surgery for plantar fasciitis that could have potentially ended her professional career.
“I feel so blessed and so grateful to be able to compete again,” said Cirstea, who next takes on American Alycia Parks in the round of 32 on Tuesday.
“I think being healthy is the first step. I think enjoying is also so important. We work so hard, 24/7 we are focused on our tennis and sometimes we forget to enjoy the achievements or the little things that we do well.
“This year is a very interesting year because my mindset shifted after the surgery. Because you start to become grateful for the little things, like just being able to walk without pain. So I think enjoying week by week, and again, working hard.”
Cirstea hit a career-high ranking of 21 back in 2013 and 12 months ago, she returned to her best position in over a decade, landing at 22 in the world.
Surgery in July halted her momentum and forced her to shut down her season early.
Many players would consider retirement facing such circumstances at 33 years old, but Cirstea was adamant on giving herself another shot.
“It wasn’t easy but I knew I didn’t want to retire on an injury. So I made the effort to have the surgery, to do all four months of rehab,” she explained.
“It’s not easy, especially being away and watching the girls compete and wanting to compete and loving tennis – I love to play.
“For me this is the main thing, I still feel the butterflies, I still feel the love for tennis and the competition. Now I can say that I am healthy. It’s been amazing. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to play without pain. It was a tough eight months, I have to say, but I’m grateful to be here today and to compete again.”
Tuesday’s order of play in Dubai features a marquee line-up that includes all top five players in the world – Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini, and Jessica Pegula.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
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RESULTS
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The%20specs%3A%20Taycan%20Turbo%20GT
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Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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The five pillars of Islam
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
Company%20Profile
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88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
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