On the eve of this week’s Mubadala World Tennis Championship, three rising stars of the men’s game stepped away from their pre-tournament preparations to experience the magnificent splendor of Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.
As tennis fans across the UAE ready for the 12th edition of Arabian Gulf’s most intimate tennis experience, world number six and 2019 ATP Tour Finals winner Stefanos Tsitsipas, World No. 23 Andrey Rublev, and 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals winner Hyeon Chung, were treated to a personal tour of the stunning UAE capital landmark.
Eight matches, three days
A celebration of the best in tennis, the Mubadala World Tennis Championship line-up includes three of the world’s top 10 men’s players, including World No. 1 Rafael Nadal and World No. 2 Novak Djokovic.
In the three-day Championship’s opening match, Tsitsipas and Rublev will go head-to-head at Abu Dhabi’s International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, at 4pm on December 19. Russia’s Karen Khachanov, the World No.17, completes the men’s field and will play Chung at 6pm on the same day.
The women’s match will see five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova face-off against Australia’s Fed Cup finalist Ajla Tomaljanovic at 8pm on December 19.
With Tsitsipas, Rublev, Chung and Khachanov playing for places in Friday’s semi-finals against Nadal and Djokovic, the Mubadala World Tennis Championship will see eight games in three days, inclusive of a fifth and six play-off on December 20, and a third and fourth play-off before the men’s final December 21.
‘The Best’ on and off court
Aside from the best live tennis as the world’s best players competing in eight matches from Thursday to Saturday, ticket holders can make the most of excellent food and beverage offerings in the Tennis Village, or make a beeline for tennis clinics, autograph and Q&A sessions with the players.
The Championship also has a host of tennis-themed activities and competitions offering great prizes, including the chance to win a year’s free Deliveroo (worth AED 30,000), and daily exercise classes from Abu Dhabi fitness chain The Room. A recent Yasalam Emerging Talent Competition participant will entertain crowds with a live set on Friday, December 20, while the Tennis Village is also home to the Mubadala Interactive Zone featuring games and challenges.
December 19 is Kids’ Day, with children 12 and under entering for FREE! Activities begin at 2pm with a star player Q&A allowing young fans to ask one of the world’s best players anything they want, as well an autographing signing session with world No.1 Rafael Nadal! Children can also compete in a 10-station tennis challenge, where completing all 10 activities enters youngsters into a grand draw for more mega prizes.
To further enhance this year’s spectator experience, the Mubadala World Tennis Championship has partnered with ride-hailing app Careem to offer 20% discount on rides to and from the venue. Fans can use the code MUBADALAWTC and access a dedicated pick-up and drop-off point.
Tickets start from AED 100 for Adults and are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.ae, all Virgin Megastores across the UAE, or by calling 800 86 823 from within the UAE, or +971 4 366 2289 from outside the country. Three Day ticket packages are available with savings of 20%.
Premier Hospitality Packages are also available, where fans can experience premium F&B menus, courtside seating, exclusive Q&A sessions with a star player and much more. More details are available on www.mubadalawtc.com.
