In recent years Abu Dubai has been the premier location for some of the world’s best players to finalize their preparations for the new season.
The World Tennis Championships takes place at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Centre, which was built in 2004. This year’s exhibition event feature both men’s and women’s matches between December 27th – 29th. There will be one women’s match occurring on the first day, as well as a men’s tournament featuring six players.
Ahead of the competition, here is everything you need to know about the exhibition.
The women
Ready? I am. @MubadalaTennis Championship here I come. #MWTC pic.twitter.com/lzYOvyFMC4
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) December 14, 2018
On Thursday there will be a sibling rivalry when Serena and Venus Williams lock horns. The two have 30 grand slam singles titles between them both with Serena winning 23 of those. Together they have also won 14 grand slam titles in doubles. In their head-to-head on the WTA Tour, Serena leads 16-12.
“This is going to be thrilling,” Serena said during an interview with The National.
“I love that Venus and I have had the ultimate rivalry. I have never played anyone I respect more and am wary of more than her. We, year after year and now I can say decade after decade, bring out the best in each other.
“It is never easy playing your best friend but she knows my game inside out, and has been so successful over me so many times. She is my role model and sister and best friend all rolled up into one. I could not be more fortunate to have her as my sister.”
It is only the second year a women’s match has taken place at the Championship and it will be the first time Venus has taken part. 12 months ago Serena, who was on the comeback from giving birth, bowed out in three sets to Jelena Ostapenko.
“Serena played here last year, it was an exciting time for her and her first competitive match of the season.” Venus told reporters in November.
“She went on to have a great year, so I hope I can do the same and have a great year this year.
“I am feeling good about my tennis and I am feeling strong.”
The clash between the Williams sisters will take place on the 27th at approximately 20:00 local time (GMT+4).
The men
https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal/status/1072096617178783745
As for the players from the ATP Tour, a mini tournament has been held for them annually since January 2009 when Andy Murray defeated Rafael Nadal in the final. This year’s draw will be the 11th edition of the event with four top 10 players taking part.
Nadal will be looking for a confidence boost ahead of 2019. The Spaniard hasn’t played since the US Open due to a series of injury issues. He has been troubled by knee and abdominal problems and has also undergone minor surgery on his ankle. The Spaniard has experienced numerous success at Abu Dhabi in recent years, winning the Championships a record four times.
“(Mubadala) has always been an important tournament for me since it is the best way to prepare the start of the season in Australia.” Nadal told Gulf News.
Granted a bye in the opening round, Nadal will play either Kevin Anderson or Hyeon Chung in the semi-finals. Anderson is the defending champion after scoring wins over Dominic Thiem and Roberto Bautista Agut last year. Since then, the South African has won two ATP titles and reached the final of the Wimbledon Championships.
“The biggest thing was to recover and get the body healthy and everything feels really good,” Anderson told reporters about his off-season on Wednesday. “There’s always a few things you’re working on, on the court, movement, returns and some stuff at the net but all in all things are feeling really good and I’m really excited to get on the court this week.”
https://twitter.com/KAndersonATP/status/1077944713737654273
22-year-old Chung will be hoping to spoil Anderson’s dream. Chung peaked at a ranking high of 19th back in April, but his campaign on the tour has also been blighted by injury issues.
“I have played Kevin a few times so I know how to play against him and I know he is one of the great players in the world. I will have to play my best.” Chung said about the upcoming match.
In the other section, Novak Djokovic is looking to continue his recent surge in form. The world No.1 has established himself as the best player in men’s tennis over the past six months after winning two grand slam and two Masters 1000 trophies. He currently leads the world rankings by more than 1500 points.
Despite Djokovic’s calibre, his first match in the tournament might not be so easy. Awaiting him will be either Dominic Thiem or Karen Khachanov, who will lock horns in the second match of the draw. Thiem has defeated the Serbian in their two most recent clashes between 2017-2018, but Djokovic was not playing his best tennis on both of those occasions. Meanwhile, Khachanov stunned the world No.1 two months ago in the final of the Paris Masters.
“This is a new season,” said Khachanov. “It will start from zero for everybody. You have to again prove that you are good and you have to get these results. Of course I am feeling more confident right now. But everything starts from zero.”
Djokovic is a former three-time champion of the event. Going undefeated at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Centre between 2011-2013.
Full order of play
27/12/18
Chung KOR Vs Anderson RSA (16:00)
Thiem AUT Vs Khachanov RUS (18:00)
Williams, Serena Vs Williams, Venus (20:00)
28/12/18
Fifth place match – TBD (15:00)
Nadal ESP Vs Chung KOR or Anderson RSA (17:00)
Novak Djokovic SRB Vs Thiem AUT or Khachanov RUS (19:00)
29/12/18
Third match play-off (17:00)
Final (19:00)
NOTE: Times are estimated and in accordance to the local time zone (GMT +4).
