Cedric Pioline & Jacob Hlasek To Play Exhibition Match In Dubai

BNP Paribas Private Banking announced that former French tennis star, Cedric Pioline and former Swiss tennis star and coach, Jacob Hlasek will play an exhibition match in Dubai on December 19th. The event will be held as the finale of a junior and adult tennis camp being organised by coach Stephen Oberer and Bob Brett and by BNP Paribas Private Banking at the Jumeirah Beach Club from 15th to 18th December.

“We have been actively involved in the promotion of sports worldwide and in particular, we align with the sport of tennis,” said Serge Janowski, BNP Paribas’ Head of Private Banking for Middle East.

He noted that in addition to sponsoring major international tennis competitions, such as the French Open/Roland Garros, the Davis Cup, the Paris Bercy Tennis Masters Series, and the Women's International Tennis Tournaments in Nice and Strasbourg, the bank also supports close to 200 local tournaments in France and local tennis schools in conjunction with the French Tennis Federation (the "progressive tennis" initiative).

“Cedric Pioline was famous for his seemingly effortless game and was an irresistible player to watch with a whiplash single-handed backhand that finishes with a flourishing follow-through and his game was essentially played from the baseline coupled with snappy volleys, delicate drop-shots or clinical overheads, remarked Mr. Janowski.

The highpoint of his tennis career was that he reached a Wimbledon final, the US Open final and also made the final of his home Grand Slam tournament, the French Open.

It took him seven years to win his first title in Copenhagen in 1996. Other titles quickly followed, including victory at the Masters Series event in Monte Carlo. Pioline retired at his home tournament in Paris in 2002.

At the Dubai exhibition match, Pioline will have to match up against Swiss tennis champ, Jacob Hlasek who is only one of five tennis players in the world to have played all three Olympics: Los Angeles, Seoul and Barcelona. He was born in Czech Republic. When he was four he came to his second homeland, Switzerland.

“Both players have promised to play the match competitively so the spectators are in for a treat,” remarked Mr. Janowski.

In late 80s, Jacob Hlasek was one of the leading World tennis players, especially indoors. Jacob Hlasek has been equally successful in both singles and doubles. He has won five tournaments: London, Johannesburg (1988), Rotterdam (1989), London (1990), Basel (1991). An excellent doubles player Hlasek won 20 tournaments.

BNP Paribas recently announced its regional expansion plans as part of its strategic development in the neighbouring region and Asia. The bank plans to have a total of 381 branches in the Mediterranean Basin and the Gulf region and 58 in China.

BNP Paribas supports the "Fête le Mur" (which in French literally means "wall practice" but is also a pun on "enjoy tennis") is a two-pronged initiative aimed at fostering social cohesion and helping young people find jobs. BNP Paribas is actively involved with the Fête le Mur association to foster social cohesion through sport in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

BNP Paribas' commitment to supporting this innovative and already hugely successful initiative reflects the Bank's ongoing efforts to help combat social exclusion, while further strengthening its role as a leading partner to the world of tennis.

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