This year’s Wimbledon finalist and 2017 winner of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC), Kevin Anderson, is set to return to the world-class championship, which will take place in Abu Dhabi from December 27-29.
Anderson, who is the highest-ranked South African player in ATP rankings history (since 1973) will be joined by Serbian 14-time Grand Slam Champion and recent Shanghai Master’s winner, Novak Djokovic in the men’s s draw and seven-time Grand Slam winner, Venus Williams on the women’s draw – with more players to be announced shortly.
The six-foot-eight, big-serving, right-hander will be making his third appearance in the Capital. After winning his fourth ATP title at New York and reaching his second Grand Slam final at Wimbledon this year, where he also earned his 300th career win, the world’s number eight is set to defend his MWTC crown.
Anderson who was in blistering form last year, defeated Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta, Austrian Dominic Thiem in the opening matches and went on to conquer another Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut, in the Championship match in two highly entertaining sets.
The South African established himself firmly as a fan favourite by sharing advice and tips, training with fans and immersing himself in the community spirit that lies at the heart of MWTC.
Announcing "Return of the reigning champion @KAndersonATP !", coming soon to a tennis court near you. Buy your tickets now - https://t.co/AaDLqtLe3b #MWTC #AywaAnderson #Announcement #Tennis #Championship #AbuDhabi #Sports pic.twitter.com/ocxqeZQTUh
— MWTC (@MubadalaTennis) October 15, 2018
“What a tournament last year turned out to be. The Mubadala World Tennis Championship is the perfect start to the tennis season and I cannot wait to return to the court and defend my title,” said Anderson.
With a line-up featuring six top male players and two leading female players, this year’s tournament is shaping up to be the biggest yet. But the fun doesn’t just stop at the court. The Tennis Village returns this year and has a packed schedule for the three-day event. Tennis fans and families will enjoy a tennis-themed experience based on Love:
“Every year, the MWTC grows in stature on the worldwide tennis circuit, attracting leading players from across the world,” said John Lickrish, CEO of FLASH Entertainment.
“Kevin Anderson’s return shows the prominence top seeds place on this event and the increasing global focus on Abu Dhabi as a key destination for world-class sporting events,”
Did you watch @DjokerNole sweep up the @RolexSHMasters without dropping a single game off his own racquet – making it 49 flawless games across the tournament?! Make sure to catch his impeccable game LIVE at this year’s #MWTC! #Tennis #Champion #RolexSHMasters #Djokovic #AbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/myRRN7r12h
— MWTC (@MubadalaTennis) October 14, 2018
MWTC is recognised as the first tournament leading into the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam event of the season, which is played on the same surface and in a similar climate.
Having built its legacy as a must-attend experience, the Championship offers its spectators the equivalent of a Grand Slam quarter-final – with attendees having the unique opportunity to see performances from six of the leading men’s players battling it out across three days.
Tickets to the hugely popular event, held at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi are priced from AED 100 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ae or by calling 800 86 823 from within the UAE or +971 4 366 2289 from outside the country, and all Virgin Megastores across the UAE.
Better still, for those opting to buy the three-day package, there will be a 20% saving applied on the final cost of the tickets.
For more information, visit
Website: www.mubadalawtc.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/MubadalaWorldTennisChampionship
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MubadalaTennis
Instagram www.instagram.com/mubadalatennis/