The top two tennis players in the world, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, have both confirmed their attendance at January's Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.
Acting as a precursor to the new season, Mubadala has developed a reputation of attracting the very best tennis stars in the world to participate in their six-player event at Zayed Sports City.
And it appears the 2015 edition, which will take place between Janury 1-3, is no different as Nadal and Djokovic both announce their presence at the tournament.
Making his debut in Abu Dhabi in 2011, current world number 1 Novak Djokovic has never lost a match at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship and will be looking to continue his successful run to secure an unprecedented fourth tournament title.
Most recently Djokovic secured his seventh Grand Slam title with an impressive victory over Roger Federer at Wimbledon and with it, reclaim the No1 ranking for the first time since September 2013.
“Abu Dhabi has always been very good to me and of course I was keen to return and defend my title," Djokovic said. "The tournament draws the world’s top players and it is crucial for us to keep pushing and testing ourselves against each other, especially at the start of a new season.
"We’re more than half way through the year now and with one major secured I feel that I am on track for a memorable year but there is plenty more work to be done before we catch that flight to the UAE.
"Celebrating the New Year in Abu Dhabi will be very special this time around and I’m hopeful of starting 2015 in the best possible way – with a victory at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.”
Djokovic could be in line to face rival Nadal in the Mubadala final after the Spaniard revealed he would kick-start his season in Abu Dhabi.
Although the world No2 has not lifted the tournament’s trophy since 2011, he has enjoyed a series of important triumphs, securing five major titles in that time, including victory at this year’s French Open.
“The standards are always high in Abu Dhabi, the crowds are fantastic and there is a real buzz around the city so returning was an easy decision to make," Nadal said from his home in Majorca.
"It’s the perfect place to start the year and although there is still a long way to go in this current season, we have to plan ahead and make sure we give ourselves to best opportunities to start the year strong.
"For me that would be playing the Mubadala World Tennis Championships where all top players want to play. I hope this year I can win!"
The unique combination of a ‘winner takes all’ prize of $250,000, the world’s best players and a Championship format that is the equivalent of a Grand Slam quarter-final, guarantee explosive performances and attacking tennis to thrill crowds on centre court.
In addition to top-class tennis, the Mubadala World Tennis Championship boasts exciting off-court action in the Tennis Village, where players can be found coaching tennis clinics and signing autographs.
Mubadala will continue as title sponsor of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in 2015. Their support has helped the tournament develop to its current position as one of the region’s premier sporting events.
Tickets for January’s Mubadala World Tennis Championship are on sale from midday, 22nd July at www.ticketmaster.ae and all Virgin Mega Stores or by calling 800 TM UAE (86 823).
Prices start from AED 50 for upper bowl seating, with exclusive premier hospitality packages also available including food and beverage offers, star player meet and greets and premier stadium seating.
F1® ticket holders redeeming their Y1 Access benefits will benefit from a 20% discount on Category 2 tickets. Y1 Access is the money off advantage programme for buyers of tickets to the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and extends across a selection of major FLASH concerts and events from the time of purchase until February 2015.
For more information, visit: www.mubadalawtc.com and at www.facebook.com/mubadalaworldtennischampionship
