RAFAEL NADAL, MILOS RAONIC TO PARTICIPATE AT MUBADALA WORLD TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP IN ABU DHABI BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 28th September 2015

RAFAEL NADAL, MILOS RAONIC TO PARTICIPATE AT MUBADALA WORLD TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP IN ABU DHABI BY RICKY DIMON

epa04909807 Amidst a spray of his own sweat, Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Diego Schwartzman of Argentina during their match on the third day of the 2015 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 02 September 2015. The US Open runs through 13 September, which is a return to a 14-day schedule. EPA/DANIEL MURPHY |

The Mubadala World Tennis Championship has announced that Rafael Nadal and Milos Raonic will be two of the six participants at the upcoming installment of the lucrative exhibition event. Held at the International Tennis Centre at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, the tournament will take place Dec. 31, 2015 through Jan. 2, 2016.

Nadal will make his seventh appearance at the tournament and is looking for his third title, which would come with a $250,000 prize. He previously triumphed in 2010 and 2011.

“A new season is a new opportunity for success and I am looking forward to getting started in Abu Dhabi,” said the seventh-ranked Spaniard, who went without a Grand Slam this year for the first time since 2004. “The Mubadala World Tennis Championship is an event I always enjoy and it’s great to be returning to action with the world’s top players in the UAE capital. I’m looking forward to spending time with the local crowds; they are always very supportive.”

Raonic will be making his tournament debut. The ninth-ranked Canadian just won the St. Petersburg Open last weekend as he tries to make a late push for World Tour Finals qualification.

“I’m really looking forward to it, that’s for sure,” Raonic commented. “The lineup is always extremely strong and I’ve heard nothing but good things from the guys on the tour who have been there before. For me it will be my first time in Abu Dhabi, so it’s going to be a new experience. I’ll be on the lookout for the Canadian flags in the stands for support.”

Andy Murray captured last year’s title, getting a walkover from Novak Djokovic in the final. Djokovic had been the three-time defending champion.

In addition to world-class tennis, the event also features exciting off-court events in the Tennis Village, including tennis clinics held by the pros, autograph-signing sessions, and a Kids’ Day (Thursday, Dec. 31).

“The Mubadala World Tennis Championship has cemented its status as the region’s leading tennis tournament through the consistent showcasing of the best players in a fun-filled environment,” assessed John Lickrish, CEO of FLASH Entertainment–the presenting sponsor. “Nowhere else can fans engage with these living legends as they do in Abu Dhabi and the latest installment will build on previous successes to bring the most exciting New Year celebrations to date.”

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Abu Dhabi, Atp, Men's tennis, milos raonic, Mubadala World Tennis Championship, Rafa Nadal, Sports, Tennis News

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ElenaFoundation says:

October 1, 2015 at 2:40 am

Check in with our friends @10sBalls_com for all the tournament updates including this great article: http://t.co/2dwblsxBFi
rachelfortnum says:

October 1, 2015 at 8:09 am

RT @EB_AT: Check in with our friends @10sBalls_com for all the tournament updates including this great article: http://t.co/atAGykhu4r