Crowd-pleasing world number six relishes return to Abu Dhabi
In-form French powerhouse Jo-Wilfried Tsonga returns to Abu Dhabi for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, fresh from an impressive close to the 2011 season having reached back to back ATP finals.
The hugely popular star had a superb second half of 2011, reaching the final of the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris and season finale, the ATP World Tour Final, narrowly losing to Roger Federer on both occasions, a player who will also join him in Abu Dhabi. Tsonga also had an excellent grass court season, reaching the final of Queen’s and starring at Wimbledon, where he stunned the Centre Court crowd by coming from two sets down to beat Federer in the quarter-final before losing to the eventual winner, Novak Djokovic, in the semis.
With the eyes of the sporting world firmly fixed on Abu Dhabi as the starting place of the global tennis season, FLASH Entertainment, the region’s premier live events company, in partnership with title sponsor Mubadala and event organizer IMG have secured an incredible line-up on day one in Abu Dhabi, the strongest in tournament’s history.
Tsonga, who ended the season by returning to his career-high ATP ranking of number six, opens the Mubadala World Championship on Thursday 29th December with a potentially explosive match against battling Spaniard, David Ferrer, who sits just one place above the Frenchman at number 5.
“We’ve only played each other twice before on the tour and we’ve won one each. That and our world rankings mean it couldn’t be any closer. David’s a really tough opponent. He never gives up and chases down every single point as if it’s the last. Of course, so do I, which is why I’m looking forward to opening the Mubadala World Championships against him.”
“I played for the first time in Abu Dhabi last year and it was wonderful. The competition is hard, the crowds are great, the climate is perfect and it always nice to see a new generation of tennis players at the championship and Tennis Village. I’m sure will be the same this time. It’s just a great way to start the tennis year and I can’t wait.”
Named ATP Newcomer of the Year in 2007, Tsonga rose to fame by reaching the final of the 2008 Australian Open as an unseeded player. He went on to lose to Novak Djokovic but he had made his mark and has since become a major player in the world game, with a flamboyant style and an exuberance that crowds love. Born to a French mother and Congolese father and with more than a passing resemblance to the world’s greatest heavyweight boxer, Tsonga is known as ‘Ali’ to his friends, who include Mubadala rival and fellow countryman, Gael Monfils.
“Looking at the draw, I could meet Gael in the final! There’s the small matter of us getting past Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Ferrer first, of course, but we’re both confident. Anything can happen when you have six of the world’s best players in a tournament such as this. Whatever happens, the crowd is guaranteed to see some great tennis.”
In addition to the world-class displays of tennis on show in Abu Dhabi, the Mubadala World Championship is packed with off-court action for all the family. From 10am on Day 1 Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will be holding player clinics, before signing autographs in the afternoon. From midday, Roger Federer and David Ferrer will sign autographs and answer questions in the special Kids’ Question Time session in the Tennis Village. All the other players will join the fun in holding clinics on the mornings of Days 2 or 3. The village opens at 9.30am on Day 1 and entry, meeting the stars and soaking up the tennis atmosphere are all free as part of day or package tickets.
This year’s tournament also gives the entire family the opportunity to soak up the winter sun and enjoy the open greenery of the Family Picnic Area. Its prime location in front of the Radio 1 & 2 stage and right next to all the action means the entertainment comes to you.
Tickets are selling very quickly with three-day packages already completely sold out and limited remaining availability for day tickets. Those still to secure their place at the Mubadala World Championship are urged to book now to avoid disappointment.
Tickets for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City from the 29th to 31st December 2011 can be purchased now from www.thinkflash.ae or by calling 800 FLASH (35274). For more information visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
