Abu Dhabi Spending Big Dollars on Top Tennis Stars

Written by: Staff on 16th November 2011

BNP Paribas 2011 Masters Tennis Tournament

Abu Dhabi Spending Big Dollars on Top Tennis Stars

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Victor Troicki of Serbia during their third round match at the BNP Paribas 2011 Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 10 November 2011. EPA/HORACIO VILLALOBOS |

Organizers at the Mubadala World Tennis exhibition from December 29-31 at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, have spared no expense in recruiting players, shelling out millions for the world;s top 3 players in Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, as well as putting up substantial sums for No. 5 David Ferrer, No. 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and No. 15 Gael Monfils.

Interestingly, No.1 Djokovic might have to play one more match than no. 2 Nadal and No. 3 Federer, as he’s slated to face Monfils on day one, with another contest between Ferrer vs. Tsonga also being held. Federer will play the winner of Djokovic against Monfils, while Nadal will face the winner of Ferrer against Tsonga for a spot in the final.

It is likely that Federer and Nadal are only to be asked to play two matches (there is also a 3rd place match the day of the final) because they still command heavier appearances than Djokovic does. Both Federer and Nadal are said to required at least $1 million per appearance.

Centre Court at the sports complex seats 5,000.

Abu Dhabi is the UAE’s most productive city, generating 56.7% of the GDP of the country in 2008. It is home to a number of financial institutions and has been heavily focusing on tourism to attract new business, which is why it hosts high profile events like the tennis exhibition. Forbes has written that it’s the wealthiest city in the world. The city of some 900,000 people owns holds 9% of the world’s proven oil reserves and almost 5% of the world’s natural gas reserves.

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

Topics: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates