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Have you heard of a building in Dubai with a tennis court at the top and wondered if that’s real? Well, even though there is confusion around who would be actually playing there, it is real. This deadly tennis court is located atop the world-famous Burj al Arab building.
Let’s explore this insane tennis court in Dubai.
Burj al Arab in Dubai: an Iconic Hotel and Luxurious Building in the World
Dubai, with its futuristic architecture, is one of the seven territories in the United Arab Emirates. It features some of the most famous buildings in the world. One of the most iconic of those is Burj al Arab. It’s a hotel, standing tall at 321 meters (1,053 feet) and is perched on its own man-made island. This spectacular building has the title of the world’s fourth tallest hotel.
The distinctive sail-like design of Burj al Arab earns it a self-proclaimed 7-star rating hotel. This opulent hotel was created by a Canadian company called Atkins under the guidance of architect Tom Wright. Rick Gregory, oversaw the design and construction of the tower. Building work commenced in 1994 and engaged a peak workforce of 2000 construction workers during its most bustling construction phase.
Completed in 1999, the hotel boasts a special double membrane PTFE fibreglass covering that minimizes solar heat while allowing filtered light to penetrate. Burj al Arab is located within a 5-minute walk from Wild Wadi Waterpark in Jumeirha.
The hotel’s helipad, conceptualized by Irish architect Rebecca Gernon, serves multiple purposes. It’s not just a landing pad but also transforms into a car race track, a boxing ring, and a tennis court. This convertible helipad also becomes a launching spot for the highest kite surfing jump in history.
The Highest Tennis Court in the World
Burj al Arab’s tennis court is 211 meters or about 700 feet high and has 415 square meters of surface. It is created more for publicity than an actual court where tennis players can enjoy their matches without falling.
The Burj al Arab made headlines by hosting a unique event in this helipad converted to a green tennis court. On February 22, 2005, a tennis match was held between two tennis legends in the world. Andre Agassi and Roger Federer played on Burj al Arab’s sky-high tennis court. They played a round without any kind of fencing or safety boundaries.
Sources are claiming that this matchup was supported by a personal request from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
A video captures these famous tennis players’ adventures on this tennis court. Both players gingerly look over the edge before engaging in the game. In this video, Andre Agassi calls it a “special court,” just as he sees the court.
Despite the ample playing space, the fear of being too close to the edge must have lingered in their minds. Also, there must have been a lot of balls falling off into the water while they were playing. That said, the spectacle of tennis played at such a dizzying height remains a memorable event.
How to Visit the Tennis Court at the Top of the Building in Dubai?
Whether an architecture enthusiast or a curious visitor, you can see inside the Burj al Arab building without staying there. You may want to reserve a table in one of the towers’ fabulous restaurants or buy a tour ticket. Here are some of the things you should know before booking your tour at Burj al Arab:
Price: The prices of tour packages vary by offering, starting from about AED 249. Tickets for children below four years old are free.
Hours: 10:30 AM to 9 PM every day.
Dress Code:
- Smart/Casual Attire Required.
- Beachwear is not permitted.
- Knee-length shorts are acceptable for all visitors.
- No Photography within the
- main lobby of Burj Al Arab.
Public Transport Access:
- Bus Transportation: Buses 8, 81, and X28 drive routes that include Burj Al Arab Hotel Bus Stop 2, situated within a 9-minute walking distance of Burj Al Arab.
- Metro Access: Nearest to Burj Al Arab, Sharaf Dg Metro Bus Stop 2-1 can be reached via the M2 line, around 350 meters from the hotel. Alternatively, take the M1 to Al Ras Metro Station, an 8-minute walk, or to Burjuman Metro Station, a 25-minute walk from the hotel.
Parking: Valet parking
Pets: due to safety reasons, pets are not allowed inside Burj al Arab.
Burj al Arab Tennis Court Death
One person died on the tennis court atop Burj al Arab in 2023, as some sources suggest. The reason for the death was caused by a heart attack, according to the same sources.
Although the safety measures of this tennis court are questionable, no official source has reported death due to falling.
It’s still better to be safe than sorry. Playing in Dubai’s heated, humid weather at a height of 700 feet from the ground can involve health risks.
Dare to Play!
It may sound more like a Truth or Dare question. But would you dare to play on this tennis court in Dubai?
The tennis court at the top of the Burj al Arab Hotel is definitely the only one at that height. And that’s not the only surprise Dubai has to offer to tennis fans. There’s an underwater tennis court in Dubai that you can explore here!
If you want to have the experience of visiting Burj Al Arab, be sure to use the discounts! Dujoin gives you the best experience of
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