Two-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka will go head to head with fellow top players in Abu Dhabi later this year after it was confirmed the Swiss star will return for his fourth outing at the season-opening Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC).
Set to take place from December 31 until January 2 at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, in Abu Dhabi, the upcoming edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship looks to be one of the most competitive yet, with four players already confirmed as part of the star-studded line-up.
Fourteen-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal will return to Abu Dhabi alongside newcomer Milos Raonic and Spanish favourite David Ferrer for the eighth edition of the annual exhibition event, which will feature six players.
World number 4 Wawrinka joins the MWTC line-up with experience of using the tournament as a strong stepping stone to major success.
In 2014, he went on from Abu Dhabi to claim his first grand slam title at the Australian Open.
In 2015, after another year at the MWTC, the Swiss secured titles at the Chennai Open and Rotterdam Open, progressing to the semi-finals of the Australian Open in between.
Wawrinka’s season-defining result in 2015 came in June when he claimed his first French Open title, becoming the first former boys’ champion to win the men’s title since 1982.
Earlier this month, Wawrinka secured a straight-sets victory over Frenchman Benoit Paire in the Japan Open, his fourth ATP World Tour title, in what has become the Swiss’ most successful season yet.
Upon confirmation of his return to the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, the 30-year-old commented: “Abu Dhabi has been really good to me over the years and I’m looking forward to getting back on the court there in front of that excited crowd. The atmosphere is always electric and the conditions are perfect.”
He added: “As is always the case, the line-up is strong and the competition will be tough, but that just means it’s always great entertainment for the fans. It seems to be one of the most competitive line-ups yet but that’s exactly what we look for as players — pushing ourselves early so we can start the season strongly.
“The past few years have started very well for me and Abu Dhabi has played a part in that. I’m looking forward to it already.”
Tickets are available for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at www.ticketmaster.ae and all Virgin Megastores across the UAE, or by calling 800 TM UAE (86 823) or +971 4 3662289 for international calls.
Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket-holders can benefit from a 20 per cent discount on Category 2 tickets for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2016 through the Y1 Access programme.
For more information about MWTC 2016, please visit www.mubadalawtc.com or www.facebook.com/mubadalaworldtennischampionship.
