ABU DHABI, September 27, 2015 

FLASH Entertainment, the region’s premier live events company, in partnership with Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi based investment and development company, today announced that fourteen-time major champion Rafael Nadal will return alongside superstar newcomer Milos Raonic for the landmark eighth installment of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC). The Championship is confirmed to kick off on December 31st 2015 running until January 2nd 2016 at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 12pm, Monday, September 28, 2015.

Renowned for its stellar line-up of top tennis talent and community engagement, the highly anticipated global event returns with the promise of even more epic on-court battles as the world’s best look to secure the winning prize of US $250,000. Six of the greatest players will face off in three days of world-class action in the UAE capital, giving fans and sports enthusiasts a captivating entertainment experience as they celebrate the New Year.

Representing the first stellar name to compete at the season-opening MWTC is former world number one and two time winner of the tournament, Rafael Nadal. After returning from injury in 2015, the Abu Dhabi fan favourite has just guided his Spanish team to victory in their Davis Cup group and will battle in the UAE capital for the seventh time, with high hopes of reclaiming the coveted trophy.

Commenting on the announcement that he will once-again compete against the world’s best in Abu Dhabi at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, Rafael Nadal said:                                                             

“A new season is a new opportunity for success and I am looking forward to getting started in Abu Dhabi on December 31st. 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 happy to see new faces entering the tournament this year which shows it continues to grow and offer a new challenge for us players. I’m looking forward to spending time with the local crowds, they are always very supportive.”

“The interaction between the fans and the players is a great selling point for the tournament. I remember being a young player and getting to meet players who I’d watched play on TV and it was a great feeling. Having a bit of time and opportunity to have a hit with local young players is a really positive thing so I look forward to that.”

Set to face off against the legendary Nadal in the UAE capital will be tournament newcomer and world number nine Milos Raonic. With six career titles, the Canadian has proven he has all the talent and experience to lift the trophy in his first attempt and will be hoping for a good run against the top stars as he builds towards the Australian Open, the first major of the year after the MWTC.

Speaking about the upcoming Mubadala World Tennis Championship Milos Raonic said:

“I’m really looking forward to it that’s for sure. The lineup for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship 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 and I’ll be on the lookout for the Canadian flags in the stands for support. It will be very exciting to start my year in Abu Dhabi and I’m looking forward to bringing my best tennis. The result of that will hopefully be thrilling tennis for the Abu Dhabi crowds.”

Year after year the Mubadala World Tennis Championship attracts the worlds’ best players to put on an unparalleled display of explosive championship tennis from the first serve to the last. While the tournament provides world-class tennis to thrill the crowds the action doesn’t stop there. Exciting off-court events, found in the Tennis Village, combine an array of activities including tennis clinics coached by the pros, and autograph signing sessions, allowing the crowds to get up close and personal with their favourite players as the MWTC looks to have a positive and lasting impact on the young people of the UAE. Children and families will be able to enjoy exploring the variety of activations in the Tennis Village with Kids’ Day taking place on Thursday December 31, 2015.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming instalment, John Lickrish, CEO of FLASH Entertainment, commented:

“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. Nowhere else can fans engage with these living legends as they do in Abu Dhabi and the latest instalment will build on previous successes to bring the most exciting New Year celebrations to date.The International Tennis Centre has recently undergone some renovations to guarantee an enhanced experience for spectators enjoying the matches. The season-opening event on the global tennis calendar will boast another powerful line-up of top tennis stars that are sure to excite fans, with Rafa and Milos setting the high standards early. The ability of the MWTC to attract the best players has become a trademark of the tournament and this year is no different.”

Continuing their unrivalled support for the tournament into the New Year and beyond, Mubadala will return as the title sponsor of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. Through grassroots initiatives such as the Mubadala Community Cup and Tennis in Schools, Mubadala’s partnership has helped take the tournament to the people of the UAE, allowing hundreds of participants from across the country to learn about the sport and the importance of health and fitness as well as compete and boost their skills in a fun-filled atmosphere.

Nadine Saleh Hassan, Head of Integrated Marketing and Outreach at Mubadala, the title sponsor of the tournament, added:

“At Mubadala, we are proud to continue our title sponsorship of the region’s leading tennis tournament, bringing together the world’s top talent. Part of our philosophy is to promote a healthy and active lifestyle within the community, and the Mubadala World Tennis Championship is a key platform we use to engage with tennis fans and the community at large. We are confident that the eighth installment of the Championship will be yet another exciting and inspiring event.”