Abu Dhabi: The reigning Olympic and Wimbledon champion, Andy Murray, has announced that he will return to Abu Dhabi on December 29-31 for the ninth annual Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
Murray confirmed his attendance on Facebook in response to junior Emirati player Hassan Al Nowais, who asked the world mumbler two if he would play in the season-opener after missing last year’s event.
Al Nowais, 13, is a huge fan of Murray and a regular participant in the Mubadala Community Cup.
Last Saturday, he shared a picture of himself on the tennis court at Zayed Sports City with a sign asking the three-time grand slam winner and double Olympic gold medallist to return to Abu Dhabi.
The simple sign said “Andy Come Play!”.
Murray answered the youngster’s wishes a day later, reporting the photo to his Facebook account. He has won the six-player annual exhibition event, which takes place at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City, twice.
Organisers say the Scot’s return will make the ninth edition of the tournament unmissable. The event is presented by FLASH Entertainment, the live events company, in partnership with Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi-based investment and Development Company.
Murray could also face Milos Raonic in Abu Dhabi in a rematch of this year’s Wimbledon final. The big-serving Canadian, who lost to Rafael Nadal in the final last year on his debut, has already said he would be taking part again.
Murray elaborated on his return by saying: “It’s always special to be part of something that is actually helping grow the sport I love. There is clearly a new and young tennis community growing in Abu Dhabi and I’m touched Hassan asked if I was coming back.
“I’m looking forward to returning to this great tournament.”
Al Nowais added: “I’m very excited Andy replied to my message and will come back to Abu Dhabi. I love this tournament and the game of tennis, and my friends and I will be there to cheer him and the other players on.”
Al Nowais is just one of hundreds of young tennis players involved in the Mubadala Community Cup, one of the region’s largest amateur tennis tournaments.
The competition sees players across the region in six age groups compete for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with the stars of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, and is due to open next month.
FLASH Entertainment’s Chief Executive Officer, John Lickrish, said: “For the past eight years, the Mubadala World Tennis Championship has melded sport and community activities into one of the most anticipated events of the year. With more star players to be announced, this edition will be unmissable.
“A gold medallist at the Rio Summer Olympics, 2016 Wimbledon champion and with other numerous accolades, Murray is the player to watch at the moment. He has developed significantly over the last year and he sure knows how to excite the crowd. We welcome him back to Abu Dhabi.”
Murray and Raonic will join four as-yet-to-be-announced players in battling it out for $250,000 (Dh91,823) in prize money.
In addition to the action, fans will be offered off-court activities in the Tennis Village, where they can interact with players via autograph signings and coaching clinics.
Tickets to the 2016 Mubadala World Tennis Championship start from Dh50 for Category 2 seating.
Exclusive premier hospitality packages are also available, including food and limited beverages, star player meet-and-greets and courtside seating.
Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket-holders redeeming their Y1 Access benefits receive a 20 per cent discount on Category 2 tickets.
Y1 Access is the money-off advantage programme for 2016 #AbuDhabiGP race ticket-holders and is offered for selected FLASH events until February 2017.
For further information, visit www.yasalam.ae.
For more information on the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, visit: www.mubadalawtc.com and www.facebook.com/mubadalaworldtennischampionship.
