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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 courton day two of the tournament, December 27th.
Last season is sure to be a memorable one for the world number two who further cemented his status as one of the sport’s modern day greats in 2013. For the fourth time in five years Djokovic began the season with victory in the Australian Open, seeing off fellow Mubadala World Tennis Championship star Andy Murray. Despite reaching the final of Wimbledon and the US Open, Djokovic was unable to add to his career tally of six major championships in 2013 with the upcoming season a fresh slate for further honours.
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.”
A favourite of Abu Dhabi’s knowledgeable and fun-loving tennis crowds, Djokovic will be welcomed back for the tournament’s sixth installment in what will be his third outing in the capital. After taking the title in his previous two attempts the Serbian will be looking to maintain his 100% record in the competition. 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 fans treated to a classic clash with the in-form Rafael Nadal on the other side of the draw. The Spaniard was responsible for Djokovic’s 2013 exits at Rolland Garros and Flushing Meadows, and also relegated him from world number one this year, for the first time since November 2011. With both Nadal and Djokovic fighting to be the first three-time winners of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, sports fanatics in the Emirates could be in for an historic showdown in Abu Dhabi, setting the tone for the hotly anticipated 2014 season.
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 perfect place to start of 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 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.
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