• Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) reveals full schedule for its much-anticipated 2018 tournament-
• World number one and two, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal plus Serena and Venus Williams are part of the star-studded line up and collectively these four players have a whopping 61 Grand Slam titles combined-
• Not only will the Williams’ sisters kick off the tournament on Day One, but it’s also their first time competing in the Capital
• New format of the Championship features a more family focus with free admission for children on Day One*-
• Tickets are available now via www.ticketmaster.ae and all Virgin Megastores across the UAE – and on the first day of the tournament, 27th December, kids go free-

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 10th December 2018:   With the 11th edition Mubadala World Tennis Championship right around the corner, FLASH Entertainment is delighted to reveal one of the most exciting schedules the tournament has ever seen. With a superb lineup of tennis superstars competing over three fun-filled days from 27th to 29th December 2018 at the International Tennis Center at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, the MWTC will not only bear witness to nail-biting action on court, but also excellent entertainment off court in the Tennis Village, which returns once again this year.

With a grand total of 61 Grand Slams, the lineup for this year’s MWTC promises intense matches between global tennis superstars, including tennis’ most famous Siblings, Serena and Venus Williams. With four out of the six male players ranked among the top 10 players in the world, as well as world number one and two, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, fans are in for an action-packed, adrenaline-fueled, few days.

The tournament will open with defending MWTC champion and 2018 Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson and Australian Open Semi-Finalist, Hyeon Chung in an electrifying match at 4.00pm. Having played each other only twice in their career, with Anderson emerging victorious in both, will Anderson score a hat-trick or will Chung finally defeat his rival? This match also marks Anderson’s third appearance at MWTC, while Chung will be making his debut after a successful year reaching the Semi-Finals at the Australian Open. 

Then at 6.00pm, French Open Finalist and world number 8 Dominic Thiem will take on Karen Khachanov, world number 11 and winner of three ATP titles. Thiem will be making his second appearance at MWTC this year and will be battling Khachanov for the second time. While Thiem will be itching to improve his performance after reaching his first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros, Khachanov saw the best season of his career, with 46 wins in 2018. 

Last but certainly not least, at 8.00pm on the first day, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams will battle it out with 7-time Grand Slam champion and older sister, Venus Williams, in what will be their first ever match in Abu Dhabi. Serena now enjoys an 18-12 career head-to-head record and met her sister earlier this year in the round of 32 at the US Open, where she won in straight sets 6-1, 6-2. 37-year-old Serena, considered by many as one of the greatest tennis players of all-time, made her return to competitive action at MWTC last year, after nearly a year away from the game following the birth of her daughter – and since then, has gone on to have a strong season reaching the finals at both Wimbledon and the US Open. It will be Venus debut at the tournament – and no doubt she will want to make her mark against her sister, thus making this match one of the most exclusive, female, sporting events the capital has witnessed.

Both world number one and 14-time Grand Slam Champion Novak Djokovic and world number two and 17-time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal, will receive byes until day two, where they will face off against thewinners from the day one. Nadal will take to court at 5.00pm and Djovokic at 7.00pm.

Day three, the final, will see the deciding match of who is place third and fourth at 5.00pm, with the men’s final taking place at 7.00pm.

Commenting on the lineup, John Lickrish, CEO of Flash Entertainment said: “This is possibly the strongest lineup MWTC has seen in its 11 year history – not only will fans get to see the world’s top, men’s players, including World number one and two, battle it out for the top spot, but they’ll also get to see Serena and Venus Williams take to the stage in what is set to be one of the most exciting, female, sporting events in the Capital’s history. And on top of all the action on court, we also have an excellent array of activity off court in this year’s Tennis Village, with plenty of fun for all the family. If you haven’t booked your tickets yet, now is the time to do so – it is set to be a fantastic event.”

This year’s line-up is set to be the most exciting yet as it features six top male players as well as the inspirational Williams’ sisters. The men’s side will feature world number one and 14-time Grand Slam Champion Novak Djokovic, world number two and 17-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, alongside last year’s defending MWTC champion, Kevin Anderson, French Open finalist, Dominic Thiem, Australian Open semi-finalist Hyeon Chung and recent Paris Masters Champion, Karen Khachanov. 

The MWTC will be held at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, where it promises spectators the equivalent of a Grand Slam quarter-final. Recognised as the first tournament leading into the Australian Open, the Championship offers fans the unique opportunity to see some of the top players battling it out across the three days. 

Tickets to the hugely popular event are priced from AED 100 and can be purchased from online, outside the country and all Virgin Megastores. Fans looking to attend all three days of the Championship can avail of a special 20% discount on ticket prices while families can take advantage of the special offer whereby children can enter for free on purchase of an adult ticket on day one of the Championship.