- World Number 1to start global tennis season in tournament’s strongest ever opening day -
- Official draw made with last remaining tickets on-sale at www.thinkflash.ae -

FLASH Entertainment, the region’s premier live events company, in partnership with title sponsor Mubadala and event organizer IMG, today announced the official draw for this year’s hugely anticipated Mubadala World Tennis Championship, with world number 1 Novak Djokovic making his long awaited debut in the Emirate as part of an incredible opening day line-up.

It is the news all sports fans have wanted with Djokovic, the most dominating player this 2011 ATP World Tour season, set to start his global tennis season against arguably one the game’s most athletic and flamboyant players, with Gael Monfils, who also makes his Abu Dhabi debut.

Ahead of the Djokovic clash with Monfils, the opening match on day 1 of this year’s Mubadala World Tennis Championship also offers breathtaking sporting action to entertain all as Spain’s world number 5, David Ferrer takes on close rival and French crowd favourite world number 6, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The official draw also reveals the potential mouthwatering semi-final matches on day two of a championship which features the strongest ever line-up to play in Abu Dhabi and anywhere around the world outside the ATP World Tour Season in 2011. The first semi-final pits all-time men’s Grand Slam singles titles leader, Roger Federer against the winner of Djokovic and Monfils, while world number 2 and 10-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal lies in wait for the victor of Ferrer and Tsonga, another tantalizing prospect.

Speaking following the official draw, Shatha Al Romaithi, FLASH Entertainment, stated;

“With players of this class and caliber, all from the leading players in the world and amongst the greatest of all-time, the draw was always going to produce some epic encounters but this line-up is truly sensational. There will definitely be some explosive tennis and a special atmosphere on centre court for those fortunate enough to witness some of the greatest rivals in world sport go head to head in Abu Dhabi.

“To have the world number 1 debut in Abu Dhabi on the opening day makes this without a doubt the most exciting day one line-up in the tournament’s history. Novak’s form has been devastating this season but the response from those rising up the world ranking such as Ferrier, Tsonga and Moonfish means every player is a genuine title contender with un-miss able action and titanic clashes expected from the very first shot on day 1.”

Following the confirmation that world number 1, Djokovic will feature in an all-star day one line-up, sell-out crowds are expected for all three days of this world-class championship, which returns to the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City from 29th December to 31st December 2011.

The opening match between Ferrer and Tsonga, both making their second appearances in Abu Dhabi, is anticipated to be a very close encounter with both players sharing one victory each in their previous two meetings on the ATP tour. Each will relish the opening match of the tournament and the prospect the chance to take on world number 2Nadal following extremely encouraging 2011 seasons.

Regarded by many as the best returnee on tour with a spectacular agile ability to keep the ball in play, Ferrer has had a hugely impressive 2011 securing his 11th ATP title and reaching the semi-final in the Australian Open having defeated Nadal in the quarter-finals. Victory over Nadal in Australia was the 4th in Ferrer’s career, proving the fearless nature of the world’s leading players and the fascinating prospect of this year’s wide open championship draw.

While the increasingly powerful showman Tsonga continues to mature and mesmerize galleries worldwide through his dynamic and imaginative play, mostly recently finishing runner-up to Roger Federer at his home nations BNP Paribas Masters. The Frenchman, known as ‘Ali’ has fought his way back up the world-rankings, collecting his 6th ATP title in Metz during a 2011 season which included a notable win over Nadal at Queens Club London. Whoever wins the opening match, Rafael Nadal will have a serious test in the semi-final if he’s to retain his Mubadala World Championship crown.

The second match on the opening day featuring the two debutants will see Monfils try to secure his first victory over Djokovic. For the immensely talented Monfils coming off his most successful season yet on the ATP tour having risen at one point to a career high of 7th in the world, taking on the world number 1 on the opening day of the global season is exactly the challenge a determined Monfils thrives on.

Looking ahead to the semi-finals, if the matches go on world rankings, Abu Dhabi will enjoy a repeat of this year’s memorable French and US Open Semi-finals already regarded as sporting classics, with the unstoppable Djokovic taking on the greatest player of all time Roger Federer. An encounter which cannot be missed by any sports fan in the UAE especially following a return to form for Federer who recently became the first player to contest the final of all nine Masters 1000 tournaments at the BNP Paribas Masters. Victory in the final over Tsonga gave Federer his 18 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns.

The unique combination of a ‘winner takes all’ prize and a championship format that takes fans on day one immediately to what would otherwise be the quarter-final of a major championship guarantees explosive performances and attacking tennis with two matches each day to thrill the crowds on centre court.

With tickets continuing to sell-quickly for all days of the championship and on the announcement of the player draw, anyone interested in securing a ticket for the three day championship that runs from 29thto 31st December 2011 is advised to book now at www.thinkflash.aeor call 800 FLASH (35274).

For more information visit -www.mubadalawtc.com. />  

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