ABU DHABI, September 2, 2017

Organizers of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) announced last month that World No. 1 Rafael Nadal is set to return to the International Tennis Center at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi later this year to defend his crown at the tournament’s 10th edition, which is taking place from 28 to 30 December 2017.

In the 2016 final, the 31-year-old Spaniard defeated Belgian David Goffin 6-4, 7-6 to take his fourth MWTC title. Andy Murray clinched the third place.

The MWTC is the traditional start into the new global tennis season offering an action packed schedule as well as a many side events for the whole family. Nadal will return to the desert for the ninth time.

“When you have success this many times here, it’s because of something special. You like the court, you like the place and you especially like the crowd – I’m very happy here. It’s a great atmosphere and I feel the love of the people,” Nadal spoke to the crowd after his 2016 win.

Ahead of this year’s edition, he stated:

“I am extremely excited to play in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship again later this year. This tournament is very important to me. I am very proud to be part of this great event and I know it will be a really enjoyable and challenging tournament as always.”

Nadal will be joined by World No. 8 Dominic Thiem from Austria and Canadian Milos Raonic. The latter will compete in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates for the third year in a row.

The MWTC is held in an unique ‘winner takes all’ format. The champion will claim $250,000 in prize money.