|
World number three, David Ferrer, will return to the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi next month for the fourth time. After reaching the final in his most successful Championship challenge to date in 2011, the Spaniard is looking to go one step furtherthis year and claim victory in the capital come December 28.
Ferrer finished the 2013 season at a career-high ranking of world number three and goes into the Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2013 as third seed behind Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – his highest seeding to date. His 2013 season saw Spain’s number two reach his first Grand Slam final at the French Open, take home his 20th ATP singles trophy and qualify for the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
“I always enjoy playing in Abu Dhabi but I haven’t won there – yet. This year I’m going into the tournament with more confidence and feel 2013 could be my best chance of taking home the title. The fans in Abu Dhabi have given me great support over the last few years and it would be an honour to lift the trophy in front of them. It won’t be easy this year against such a strong line up but I’m ready to give it my all.”
Ferrer’s campaign starts at 5pm on the opening day of the tournament when he faces world number eight, Stanislas Wawrinka. With Wawrinka victorious in the pair’s previous two meets, it won’t be plain sailing for Ferrer through day one but if victorious,Abu Dhabi could be in for the ultimate Spanish showdown in the semi-finals as fellow countryman Rafael Nadalawaits. There is only space for one Spaniard in the final and Nadal has overpowered Ferrer in 21 of their 26 career head-to-heads.
“It certainly won’t be an easy task to reach the semi-finals – Stanislas had a great season in 2013 and I’m sure he’ll come back strong. If I do make it to face Nadal it will be a good chance for me to play the world number one going into the new season and I hope whatever the outcome, we’ll do our country proud in Abu Dhabi.”
Six of the world’s top ten players will compete for the title in Abu Dhabi with Ferrer, Wawrinka and Nadal joined by world number two, Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon champion and world number four, Andy Murray, and world number ten, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. 2013 marks the strongest line-up in the tournament’s history with all three previous champions returning to the capital in December.
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 salefrom 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.
|
New
Review
Abu Dhabi International Airport - 41°F
