World number 12 Kevin Anderson will make his Middle Eastern debut at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship later this month on the back of a thrilling season.
Anderson smashed an 18-year record by becoming the first South African since 1997 to break into the world’s top 10, and is looking for more success in the new season. This starts for him on December 31 at the season-opening Mubadala round at International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.
Anderson started 2015 ranked number 16 in the world and is known for his hard-hitting game, huge serves and a smash shot that flies down at the court from almost 3.6 metres.
This season, he has enjoyed his best results in terms of winning percentages since 2010, finishing the year on 46-24. He also reached his first grand slam quarter-final in September when he knocked world number two, Andy Murray, out of the US Open.
Finishing the season an impressive four places higher in the rankings, the statuesque South African ends the year after a stint in the top 10 in October. He said: “I can’t wait to be competing at this year’s Mubadala World Tennis Championship and have always wanted to be a part of it. I know all the players really give it their all in Abu Dhabi and I hear the crowds are pretty amazing, so I’m looking forward to experiencing it for the first time.”
“When I turned pro, my aim was to make it into the top 100 in the world and this year I broke into the top 10, which was a massive moment for me. I hope to build on this in 2016 and the chance to play in Abu Dhabi against the top players in the world ahead of the new season will get me in the best possible shape to do so,” he added.
Anderson will open his Abu Dhabi campaign on day one of the tournament when he takes on fellow debutant Milos Raonic. He joins Rafael Nadal, Stanislas Wawrinka, Raonic, David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the event, which takes place between December 31 and January 2.
Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.ae and all Virgin Megastores, or by calling 800 TMUAE (86 823) or 04-3662289 for international calls.
Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket-holders get a 20 per cent discount on Category 2 tickets for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2016 through the Y1 Access programme.
For more information, visit:
www.mubadalawtc.com or
www.facebook.com/mubadalaworldtennischampionship.
