Gulf News

Raducanu enters Mubadala tennis

US Open champ and biggest name in tennis confirmed for Abu Dhabi event

- ABU DHABI Staff Report

New British No 1 and world No 22 Emma Raducanu meanwhile, is looking forward to making her MWTC debut.

Hot on the heels of announcing the return of the Mubadala World Tennis Championsh­ip this December, with fans in attendance, Championsh­ip organisers Flash Entertainm­ent have pulled off another masterstro­ke, securing US Open champion Emma Raducanu, arguably the hottest name in world sport, as the first big name for this year’s event.

Taking place at the Internatio­nal Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, from December 16-18, the 13th edition of the Arabian Gulf’s leading profession­al tennis experience will again welcome the best tennis talents across three days of competitio­n.

Championsh­ip organisers have made way for the best with the signing of Raducanu, who took the world by storm with her fairy-tale triumph at the US Open in September. The 18-year-old set a host of records at Flushing Meadows: becoming the first qualifier, male or female, to win a Grand Slam in the Open era, the youngest Grand Slam winner since Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004, and the first Briton to win a women’s Grand Slam singles title since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977.

With Raducanu secured, fans are in for a real treat from day one of the threeday championsh­ip. The highenergy women’s match takes place alongside a series of eliminatio­n matches featuring six of the world’s best male tennis players.

Reward to loyalty

“We have consistent­ly set the bar high year-on-year with our line-up, to the point where fans expect the best. The return of the Championsh­ip with fans was a milestone moment and we wanted to reward their loyalty with another unrivalled experience,” said John Lickrish, CEO, Flash Entertainm­ent.

New British No 1 and world No. 22 Raducanu meanwhile, is looking forward to making her MWTC debut, and following in the footsteps of greats including Maria Sharapova and Serena and Venus Williams.

“I’ve never been to Abu Dhabi and can’t wait to go and play in the championsh­ip. I know the UAE is celebratin­g its 50th anniversar­y at the beginning of December, so I’m sure it’s going to be amazing there and I’m excited to experience everything the country has to offer both at the event and culturally,” said Raducanu.

 ?? USA TODAY Sports ?? Emma Raducanu, who became the first qualifier in Open era to win a Grand Slam, will be a big attraction in the Mubadala World Tennis Championsh­ip this December.
USA TODAY Sports Emma Raducanu, who became the first qualifier in Open era to win a Grand Slam, will be a big attraction in the Mubadala World Tennis Championsh­ip this December.

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