Nine-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal will finalize his preparations for the 2017 season by bidding to defend his title at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
The Spaniard has used the exhibition tournament in previous years to help him prepare ahead of the Australian Open swing of the tour. In 2016 he won the title for the third time after defeating Milos Raonic in straight sets. The event, which features a field of six players, awards the winner of the tournament US$250,000.
“I really enjoy the fans, the competition and the atmosphere in the stadium in Abu Dhabi,” Nadal said in a release. “It is the best way to start my season.
“I’ve enjoyed many years playing in the UAE capital against the other top guys and I’m already looking forward to the next.”
Nadal will be hoping that his run at the upcoming event will trigger a successful start to his new season, like it did earlier this year. After winning the January title, he reached the final of the Doha Open.
“After playing in Abu Dhabi I went on to play some great matches on the tour at the start of the year and I’ll be hoping for even better this time.” Said Nadal.
Besides Nadal, David Goffin will play in the event for the first time in his career. The Belgian, who reached the final of the Tokyo Open earlier this year, admitted that he faces a tough task in a field that features six of the world’s top 12 players.
“It’s going to be amazing to compete in Abu Dhabi and I am really proud to be selected amongst such a world class line-up,” Said Goffin. “I’ve heard great things about the quality of the tournament and I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere and the fans in this part of the world.”
“The competition is going to be very strong and it’s a great time of year to be playing tennis of such a high standard.”
Joining Nadal and Goffin in the event will be new world number one Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonic.
The latest edition of the three-day exhibition will start on December 29th at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex.
The wait is now officially over, #MWTC is thrilled to confirm @RafaelNadal, @tomasberdych and @David__Goffin to be our final 3! #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/k88E5a5ReX
— MWTC (@MubadalaTennis) 7 November 2016
