Reigning champion Novak Djokovic returns to Abu Dhabi this week with plans to secure an unprecedented third Mubadala World Tennis Championship title. Victory at Zayed Sports City would see the Serbian take home the trophy for a third consecutive year with his campaign getting underway on centre court on day two of the tournament, on Friday 27th December.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Novak Djokovic said: “The Mubadala World Tennis Championship holds a special place in my heart and I’m very much looking forward to getting out in front of what is always a supportive crowd.
“The line-up this year is the most formidable yet so I have my work cut out, but looking towards the 2014 season I want to be challenged and this competition continues to deliver the perfect platform for me ahead of the season’s first major in Australia.”
Standing in his way will be the victor of the highly anticipated Day One clash between the tournament’s inaugural winner, Andy Murray, and world number ten Jo-Wilfried Tsonga; Scotland’s Murray making his long awaited comeback from injury.
Victory over Murray or Tsonga could see UAE tennis fans treated to a classic clash with the in-form Rafael Nadal waiting on the other side of the draw.
Djokovic added: “I am excited to continue working and enjoying the game, striving for some new goals. My team is stronger with a new member and I hope we can all get the results we desire. Abu Dhabi is the perfect place to start a new tennis season.”
This year will see all three of the tournament’s previous champions battling for glory with reigning champion Djokovic, two-time winner Rafael Nadal and inaugural victor Murray all in action across the weekend.
The unique combination of a ‘winner takes all’ prize of $250,000, the world’s best players and a championship format that takes fans on day one immediately to the equivalent of a Grand Slam quarter final guarantees explosive performances and attacking tennis on centre court.
The annual Mubadala World Tennis Championship takes place from 26th to 28th December 2013 at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex, Zayed Sports City.
For fans that don’t want to miss out on the tournament’s strongest line-up yet, tickets are on sale from www.ticketmaster.ae and in selected Virgin Megastores, or call 800 TM UAE (800 86 823) with prices starting from AED 50 for children and AED 100 for adults.
