Kuwait recently opened a state-of-the-art tennis complex – which includes a world-class academy for the sport – that has put the nation on the international tennis map. 

The Shaikh Jaber Al Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah International Tennis Complex features a 5,000-seat multipurpose arena, a world-class tennis academy with a 1,500-seat centre court, 18 indoor and outdoor tennis courts and 4,400 parking spaces.

The project is a major anchor of a larger mixed-use retail, office, leisure and sports destination, including a 300-key Grand Hyatt hotel, all designed by CallisonRTKL and developed by Tamdeen Group.

O’Grady ... inspiration came from the Kuwaiti culture and the game of tennis.

The key tenants/operators of the project include Kuwait Tennis Federation, Kuwait Public Authority for Youth and Sport, Rafa Nadal Academy and Live Nation.

“The owner wanted to develop a project that would build upon the success of its adjacent development, 360 Mall, creating a first-of-its-kind sports-anchored lifestyle destination that would benefit future generations of Kuwait,” Brendan O’Grady, Vice-President of CallisonRTKL, the architect on the project, tells Gulf Construction.

One of Kuwait’s pioneering public-private partnership projects, this is the biggest sports initiative in value and size under the Kuwait Public Authority for Sport. It is directly linked to Tamdeen Group’s award-winning flagship 360 Mall – a worldwide shopping and entertainment destination which opened in 2009 – also designed by CallisonRTKL.

“The creation of this fascinating project was an important milestone in the vision of our wise leadership and government to invest in youth and nurture their talent in recognition of the vital role that the youth play in the developmental process,” says Mohammed Mustafa Marzouq Al Marzouq, General Manager of Tamdeen Sports.

Another important aspect of the project is the incorporation of biophilic design principles. They are used to blur the boundaries between the natural and built environments in order to create inviting, soothing spaces that promote health and wellbeing.

The tennis academy was inaugurated on February 5, 2020.

According to O’Grady, the inspiration for the project came from the local Kuwaiti culture and the dynamic game of tennis. The initial concept design for the project was completed in November 2013 and the construction of the overall development will be complete this year, according to CallisonRTKL.

The project uses a series of rich and natural materials to reflect the local Kuwaiti culture and context in a uniquely modern way. The curving forms and sweeping lines of the facade, which appear to emanate from the arena, reflect the dynamic movement of the players during a tennis match.

The striated limestone wall is punctuated with the hotel tower facing the highway and a series of glass elements at the entries which serve as glowing beacons welcoming visitors at night.

“The project uses traditional natural materials such as stone and wood which are contrasted with more modern materials including metal cladding, GRP (glass reinforced plastic) screens, and the grid shell skylight,” O’Grady elaborates.

The project is anchored on the eastern end by the Rafa Nadal Academy, indoor courts and outdoor stadium. A series of terraces and a food hall on the upper level overlook the outdoor courts and landscaped plaza connecting to the stadium.

The curving forms and sweeping lines of the facade appear to emanate from the arena.

All courts are equipped with the latest world-class technology, including ProCushion acrylic surfaces, advanced soundproofing methods, and folding and fixed seats designed by world-renowned architect and designer Sir Norman Foster, and manufactured by Fugueras.

The academy, which is dedicated to racket sports, leisure, and fitness, was inaugurated on February 5, 2020 by the legendary sportsman Rafael Nadal. The 19-time Grand Slam champion faced former top-ranking ATP player David Ferrer in the inaugural Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait Champions Challenge in front of a sold-out crowd.

Meanwhile, the hotel design is inspired by a water feature and palm trees which surround the existing 360 Mall.

“The palm, which is a symbol of rest and hospitality in Islamic culture, also plays an important role by providing shade and protection in the desert landscape. The angular façade of the hotel tower is derived from the form of the palm leaf to create a self-shading building with an iconic identity. This fusion of high performance and aesthetics creates a striking identity for the hotel from the highway, while complementing the sweeping forms of the limestone base,” a CallisonRTKL spokesman says.