Abu Dhabi is set to host the season opener for the 2015 international tennis season, the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
Six of the world’s hottest tennis players are making their way to Abu Dhabi for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (WTC) from 1st to 3rd January 2015.
Since the inaugural event in 2008, the tournament has welcomed the biggest names in men’s tennis including Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
This year the tournament welcomes back world number one and on-court joker Djokovic, Spanish heartthrob Nadal, ‘charismatic’ Scotsman Murray and reigning Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka.
It was recently announced that Spanish stars Nicolas Almagro and Feliciano Lopez would replace previously confirmed players Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gaël Monfils, who both pulled out of the tournament due to injury.
During the three-day tournament, the players will compete in a single elimination series of matches before the last two men standing go head to head in the final on 3rd January.
The Mubadala WTC marks the start of the 2015 international tennis season so players are sure to be in fine form and ready to fight for the first title of the year – not to mention the $250,000 (AED 918,300) prize purse.
The players
Novak Djokovic
World ranking: 1
Nationality: Serbian
Turned pro: 2003
Career titles: 48
The joker returns to the capital as reigning Mubadala WTC champion after beating Spain’s David Ferrer last year. In the 2014 instalment, the enigmatic player nabbed his third title in as many years and will no doubt be fighting for a fourth this year. The world number one also gets a bye – an automatic advancement into the second round – and will face either Almagro or Wawrinka in the second semi-final.
Andy Murray
World ranking: 6
Nationality: British
Turned pro: 2005
Career titles: 31
Scottish sportsman Murray will once again kick off his 2015 season in the capital. The Olympic champ is in fine form after recovering from a back injury, and recently nabbed three ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) titles. Murray will be pitched against Lopez for the first match on 1st January.
Stanislas Wawrinka
World ranking: 4
Nationality: Swiss
Turned pro: 2002
Career titles: 7
After admitting he wasn’t at his best at last year’s season opener, the rest of 2014 proved successful for Wawrinka. He gained his first Grand Slam title in Melbourne, which has helped cement his place in the men’s tennis rankings. The Swiss player is keen to get off to a strong start in 2015 and will no doubt be giving competitors a run for their money.
Rafael Nadal
World ranking: 3
Nationality: Spanish
Turned pro: 2001
Career titles: 64
Injury forced the ‘King of clay’ – so called because he’s regarded as one of the best clay court players in history – to take a break at the end of last season. As the second highest ranked player in the tournament, Nadal, who’s more affectionately known as ‘Rafa’, also gets a bye. He will no doubt have his work cut out for him in the semi-final where he’ll face either Murray or Lopez.
Feliciano Lopez
World ranking: 14
Nationality: Spanish
Turned pro: 1997
Career titles: 4
The tournament’s third Spaniard and world number 14 has just finished his best season yet. Lopez is no doubt keen to get a strong start to the 2015 season when he makes his Abu Dhabi debut. Lopez recently defeated Nadal in Shanghai, China, and if he stays in good form he may face his fellow Spaniard once again.
Nicolas Almagro
World ranking: 71
Nationality: Spanish
Turned pro: 2003
Career titles: 12
Spanish star Almagro treated tennis fans in the capital to a stunning final two years ago when he went head to head with Djokovic in a two-hour, 34-minute match. Although he was runner-up, Almagro will no doubt be fighting for the win this year. But will a recent foot surgery hold him back?
Off court action
In addition to the smashing action on the court at Zayed Sports City, there will be plenty of entertainment and activities in the Tennis Village at the venue. On 1st January, Nadal and Djokovic will be signing autographs between 3.30pm and 4.30pm.
There will be a Kids Q&A session with Lopez on Friday 2nd January at 2pm.
Two of the tournament’s other players – yet to be announced – will also be signing autographs on Saturday 3rd January.
There will also be a live entertainment stage and family picnic area. Further details on activities are yet to be announced.
The Tennis Village opens at 11.30am each day. All activities are free for Mubadala WTC ticket-holders.
Lasting legacy
Mubadala WTC aims to continue the excitement long after the championship’s matches by running various programmes throughout the community. The aim is to raise awareness about the importance of an active lifestyle and the benefits of tennis.
The Mubadala Tennis in Schools (MTiS) programme introduces students aged seven to ten to the sport. The initiative provides tennis kits and skills to students and teachers in 20 local schools. UAE coaches then visit the schools twice a month to give coaching sessions and tips on leading a healthy lifestyle.
The Mubadala Community Cup, an amateur tennis tournament, returned in November 2014. Competitors took part in various categories including under 12s, boys under 16s and adults mixed doubles.
The tournament’s winners will be able to test their skills against the world’s elite during Mubadala WTC.
Before you go…
The Mubadala WTC is held at the International Tennis Complex in Zayed Sports City. There is plenty of parking on site.
On 1st and 3rd January, the first match will begin at 5pm, while the second match will be no earlier than 7pm.
On 2nd January the play-off between fifth and sixth players will begin at 2.30pm. The semi-final will be at 5pm and the second semi-final at 7pm.
Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastore outlets across the UAE. A range of seating options are available; premier seats are court-side; category one seats are in the middle and category two seats are at the back. There is also a family package that includes four category two tickets for AED 250. This package can only be used on 1st January.
Premier hospitality tickets include premier seats, exclusive access to daily Q&A sessions with the players, food and beverages and premier car parking.
Don’t rely on tickets being available at the venue on event days as tickets sell out quickly and availability is limited.
For the seating map and hospitality schedule, visit: www.mubadalawtc.com
For more information contact: 800 86823 [email protected]
Tennis 101
If you’re a new tennis spectator, there are a few rules about the sport you should know before you head courtside.
- A match is made up of points, games and sets.
- ‘Love’ means zero points. The scoring system then goes 15, 30, 40 and ‘game’.
- A game is made up of a sequence of points with the same player serving.
- A set consists of at least six games.
- It’s fine to show support for the players during the match but keep quiet while the ball is in play; save the clapping and cheers until the end of a point.
- The court will be quiet during the match so switch your phone to silent so it doesn’t disturb the players.
- If you need to leave your seat during the match, wait until there’s a break between games.
We sit down with world number one and funny man Novak Djokovic in between training sessions.
The Mubadala WTC is seen as the start of the tennis season. How do you prepare for a new year?
Every year I follow the same routine: I start my preparation in Monaco with a focus on fitness before I even pick up a tennis racquet. Next up is the Mubadala WTC, which is the perfect final part of my preparation.
How many hours a day do you practise when not competing?
Before the start of the season I’ll do two long fitness sessions and play tennis after each one. Then I’ll do at least one extra fitness session, so in total I practise for around five hours.
What do you like about playing in Abu Dhabi?
I like the place and the atmosphere; everything is well organised and there is always a good audience. I also like to compete with the top players that the tournament attracts.
You’ve won the trophy in Abu Dhabi three times. How hard will it be to win it a fourth?
It is always hard to win a tournament and even more so to win four times in a row, especially when all the competitors are of such a high standard.
Who will be the biggest threat to you at this year’s tournament?
All players are difficult to defeat but Rafa (Nadal) remains the most challenging.
What has been your most memorable victory?
A couple come to mind: this year’s Wimbledon and the final with Rafa at the 2012 Australian Open. The match was close to six hours but if I’m honest all the Grand Slam wins are in my heart.
What role does diet play in your sporting success?
Food is very important for an athlete. I stick to a gluten- and sugar-free diet and eat a lot of vegetables and fruit.
Don’t miss Djokovic as he goes for trophy number four at the 2015 Mubadala WTC from 1st to 3rd January at Zayed Sports City.
Rachael Peacock
