For the first time in the tournament’s seven-year history, the final of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship was not played after Novak Djokovic was forced to pull out on Saturday, citing a fever.
The world No1’s withdrawal handed Andy Murray the 2015 MWTC trophy and the crowds at Zayed Sports City were instead treated to an exhibition set between Feliciano Lopez and Nicolas Almagro as a consolation following the third-place playoff between Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka.
Tournament organisers have offered ticket holders a 50 per cent discount on tickets for next year’s edition in an attempt to apologise to those who were anticipating a thrilling clash between two of the world’s best players.
“Unfortunately I am not to be able to play in the final in Abu Dhabi tonight,” Djokovic said in a statement released by the tournament.
“I’ve been sick today with a fever and I’m not fit to play. I said after my match last night, the crowds here have shown their love of tennis again this year and always inspire me to play my best so I am hugely disappointed not to be able to play for them tonight.
“I’ve had another great weekend in Abu Dhabi, meeting fans and coaching young players, and played some great tennis against the best players in the world. I love being a part of this tournament and I’m really disappointed not be able to take my chance of winning the trophy here again. Congratulations to Andy, it’s a shame I couldn’t play him today but I’m sure we will meet again soon.”
Greg Sproule, the managing director of IMG Middle East, who organise the MWTC, said that the tournament did everything they can to offer a consolation to spectators and that asking Murray to face a different player in the final would have been irresponsible considering the Scot is dealing with a sore left shoulder.
“Our responsibility as a tournament is, Novak withdraws, Andy wins the tournament, that’s the way it is,” explained Sproule.
“I think it’s not right, Andy’s talked about having a delicate shoulder issue, it would be irresponsible of us to ask him to play. First grand slam of the year just two weeks away. I think it’s our obligation and out of respect for Andy that we ask him not to play.”
Fans’ reaction to the news of Djokovic withdrawing at Zayed Sports City varied with one fan saying: “We’re very disappointed because Novak’s my favourite player, even though I’m Scottish and I should support Murray. I wanted Djokovic to win today.
Another said: “I cannot return tickets, I cannot see the guy, what can I do now?”
One fan on site was unaware that Djokovic had pulled out. When informed he said: “I’m not disappointed, that’s fine. I’ll still get the experience of watching some tennis in the stadium.”
Djokovic, who ended up just having 57 minutes of competitive action in Abu Dhabi in his quick win over Stan Wawrinka on Friday, did not mention whether he will be ready to play in Doha, where the Qatar Open kicks off on Monday. He is scheduled to meet the media on Sunday afternoon at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in the Qatari capital.
The No1 seed has been drawn to face his fellow Serb Dusan Lajovic in the opening round in Qatar and he is also meant to play doubles with another countryman, Filip Krajinovic.
