Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Daniil Medvedev are among the star names set to feature at the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi in December.
The tournament will see 16 of the world’s best men's and women's players competing at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena from December 21-24.
Confirmed for this year's competition are women’s World No 1 Sabalenka, alongside world No 2 and four-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek plus the 2022 Wimbledon winner and world No 5 Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka will be looking to end a superb 2023 that saw her overtake Swiatek at the top of the rankings after winning the Australian Open, reaching the semi-finals of the French Open and Wimbledon, then losing in the US Open final.
“I’m excited to be returning for this season and really looking forward to seeing who I’ll be joining on court at this year’s World Tennis League,” said the Belarusian. “Last year, we had a great time on and off the court, and I’m hoping this will help me to prepare for next season.”
Organisers also confirmed that men's world No 3 and 2021 US Open champion Medvedev, world No 5 and Australian Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, plus world No 6 Andrey Rublev will be appearing.
“After seeing what the players experienced last year, I’m delighted to be joining for this season of the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi,” said Medvedev, who reached the final of this year's US Open before losing to Novak Djokovic.
“I’ve played several times in the UAE and always enjoy coming back, and I’m aiming to finish this year on a positive note there.”
The top six players are the first to be announced, with the full roster and team line-ups to be confirmed by organisers in the coming weeks.
The format will see the players split into four teams with two matches every day from Day 1 to 3 with categories including men’s and women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles. The top two teams will play for the chance to be crowned champion on the final day on December 24.
Last year's innaugual tournament in Dubai was one by Team Hawks who included Rybakina and 2020 US Open finalist Alexander Zverev in their ranks.
Coined as the ‘Greatest Show on Court’, the unique sports and entertainment spectacle will also feature three nights of concerts from some of the top global music stars including 50 Cent, Akon and Ne-Yo.
Rajesh Banga, Chairman of World Tennis League, said: “This year’s player draw featured an exceptional roster of Grand Slam champions, and ATP and WTA title winners, and we are thrilled that Aryna, Iga, Elena, Daniil, Stefanos and Andrey will be joining us for this enticing showdown in December.”
“This season is set to bring some thrilling moments on court, and with world-class tennis action alongside the event’s evening concerts featuring award-winning artists, we encourage people to purchase their tickets now for an unmissable spectacle.”
Tickets are on sale via the Etihad Arena website as well as Platinum List and Virgin Megastores. You can find more details on etihadarena.ae.
For more information on the World Tennis League, visit: https://www.worldtennisleague.com/
Racecard
6.35pm: The Madjani Stakes – Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.10pm: Evidenza – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m
7.45pm: The Longines Conquest – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,000m
8.20: The Longines Elegant – Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
8.35pm: The Dubai Creek Mile – Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m
9.30pm: Mirdif Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,400m
10.05pm: The Longines Record – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,900m
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Honeymoonish
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How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
Company Profile
Company name: Fine Diner
Started: March, 2020
Co-founders: Sami Elayan, Saed Elayan and Zaid Azzouka
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and food delivery
Initial investment: Dh75,000
Investor: Dtec Startupbootcamp
Future plan: Looking to raise $400,000
Total sales: Over 1,000 deliveries in three months
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
The biog
Name: Greg Heinricks
From: Alberta, western Canada
Record fish: 56kg sailfish
Member of: International Game Fish Association
Company: Arabian Divers and Sportfishing Charters
Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
