UAE’s Salah Tahlak hit a new milestone for the Arab world when he was voted onto the prestigious 12-member WTA Global Tournament Council Board, an announcement revealed yesterday.
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Tahlak, the tournament director of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and vice president of corporate communications at Dubai Duty Free, has been a member of the ATP Global Tournament Council since 2010 and has now become the first Arab, GCC national and Emirati to serve on both tournament councils on the men’s and women’s tours.
Through his role as a council member, Tahlak will participate in high-level debates and discussions that decide the governance and future of professional tennis.
Commenting on Tahlak’s recent election, Colm McLoughlin, the executive vice chairman of Dubai Duty Free, said: “On behalf of Dubai Duty Free, I want to sincerely congratulate Salah on his election on to the WTA Global Tournament Council Board.
“This move is a reflection on the importance that Dubai and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships have put into building up tennis in the region.
“Since taking on the role as tournament director of the Dubai Tennis Championships 11 years ago and subsequently being appointed to the ATP Tournament Council four years ago, Salah has been a great ambassador for Dubai and Dubai Duty Free and has shown unparalleled commitment to the sport of tennis, both here in the UAE and around the world.
“During that time Salah has represented the UAE in the international tennis community, in many different roles. Earning the trust of his colleagues once more is a tremendous accomplishment, and this election to the WTA Council proves that the world of tennis believes in the importance of his work.”
The Global Tournament Councils comprise representatives from players and tournaments alike and are responsible for issues such as the annual calendar, rules, regulations, governance, prize money, bonus and new events.
The next ATP and WTA Tournament Council meetings will be held in Melbourne, Australia, in January to coincide with the Australian Open.