Stan Wawrinka, the reigning Australian Open champion and world number four, will be hoping his Abu Dhabi good luck charm will continue in 2015 as the Swiss star looks ahead to the new season.
Wawrinka went on from last year’s season-opening Mubadala World Tennis Championship to win his first ever grand slam title in Melbourne where he beat Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the process.
Wawrinka, who will make his third appearance at the Abu Dhabi tournament which aims to emulate the playing conditions of the Australian Open, commented: “2014 was a very special year for me, capturing my first Grand Slam, and it started for me in Abu Dhabi so it was an easy decision for me to come back in 2015.
"We have the chance to play the best players and get ready for the new season and for me, it seemed to work well last year!
"Of course I hope I can go on from Abu Dhabi and have success in Melbourne again and I will be putting 100% into my matches to help me prepare as best I can.”
Wawrinka will play his first match on Day 1 of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, January 1st, against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga whom he defeated by hitting 61 winners in a powerful display of tennis in the Davis Cup final last month.
Should he make it through to Day 2, Stan will face world number one, Novak Djokovic, and have an opportunity to put an end to the Serb’s Abu Dhabi winning streak which has seen him take home the trophy for the last three consecutive years.
The pair met just twice in 2014, firstly at the Australian Open where Wawrinka reigned supreme, then at the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals where Djokovic took the win.
Wawrinka added: “I’m looking forward to playing against Tsonga again in Abu Dhabi.
"If I get through to play Djokovic that would be a great opportunity for me against the world number one.
"We only had two matches last year so the more chances I have to play him the better.”
Six of the world’s best players will compete for the title in Abu Dhabi with Wawrinka joined by world number one Novak Djokovic, world number three Rafael Nadal, inaugural Mubadala World Tennis Champion Andy Murray, and the dynamic French duo of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils.
Between them, this year’s line-up hold 24 Grand Slam titles and all three previous tournament champions will return to the capital in January.
Tickets for January’s Mubadala World Tennis Championship are on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and all Virgin Megastore outlets across the UAE or by calling 800 TM UAE (800 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.
For more information: www.mubadalawtc.com and www.facebook.com/mubadalaworldtennischampionship
What: Mubadala World Tennis Championship
Where: International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City – Abu Dhabi
When: 1-3 January, 2015
Contact: for information visit www.mubadalawtc.com or the Facebook page
