December 19, 2015
Tennis fans the world over have grown accustomed to seeing Rafael Nadal suffocating his opponents with stinging shots and relentless pressure, winning matches and tournaments with power and panache – not least at the prestigious Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi where the Spanish sensation has lifted the trophy twice.
Only 29-years-old, Nadal has become a global icon after his 14 Grand Slam wins, 27 Masters 1000 and an Olympic gold medal and now he is ready for a return at the 2016 season’s curtain-raiser in Abu Dhabi between 31 December 2015 and 2 January 2016.
After a year in which he suffered from injury, the former World No.1 is leaving 2015 behind as he aims to recapture his raison d’être – winning tournaments in emphatic, near untouchable fashion.
Speaking ahead of the tennis action in the capital, where he tops a star-studded line-up including world number four Stan Wawrinka, fellow Spaniard David Ferrer, Milos Raonic, Kevin Anderson and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Nadal said:
“Coming to Abu Dhabi for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship is always special, it is the perfect preparation for me to get ready for a new season. I feel in great shape so it should be incredible experience for me, for the other players and of course for the fans coming out to support us.”
The Mubadala World Tennis Championship is renowned for bringing the best in the tennis world to battle it out over three thrilling days of elite competition, while signifying the start of the global tennis season. In 2014, Stan Wawrinka won the Australian Open only 25 days after the Abu Dhabi tournament, which serves as case in point for the importance of a good start to the New Year. For Rafael Nadal, it is a sentiment to be followed:
“It’s a very important springboard for what’s to come in the season ahead. The facilities are top-notch and it’s a place I enjoy coming to, and with the strong competition lined up, I’ll be trying to set myself up for a strong campaign. Hopefully I can be successful and lift that trophy for the third time,” Nadal said.
Nadal will get a bye into the second day of this year’s Mubadala World Tennis Championship where he will face either David Ferrer or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, two players who will be looking to make an impact on their first appearance of the new season. If the Spaniard can find the superb form that he has upheld since he burst onto the scene in 2002 and overcome his first opponent, Abu Dhabi’s passionate tennis fans could be set to enjoy a thrilling journey to the final where a no doubt mouth-watering duel awaits.
The Mubadala World Tennis Championship will take place from 31st December – 2nd January 2016 at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City. For those fans who do not want to miss out on the action, tickets are available for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at www.ticketmaster.ae and all Virgin Megastores, or by calling 800 TMUAE (86 823) or +971 4 3662289 for International calls.