Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on Collision Course in Abu Dhabi

World Number one Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will play at Zayed Sports City’s International Tennis Centre in Abu Dhabi, UAE from December 19-21, 2019.

Both of them, Nadal and Djokovic will enter the semifinals of the tournament (since they have a bye) and they are drawn to face each other in the finals. Djokovic is the defending champion in Abu Dhabi while Nadal will be making his tenth appearance at the event.

On the ATP courts, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic previously met at the Rome Masters 2019 finals. 

Besides the elite men of the sport Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Gael Monfils and Hyeon Chung will be seen in action in Abu Dhabi. ATP World Tour Finals 2019 champion Tsitsipas will open against the Frenchman Monfils. World Number four Medvedev with play the former Australian Open semifinalist Chung.

The winner of Tsitsipas vs Monfils will play the Serb Djokovic in the first semi-final. The Spaniard Nadal will be taking on the winner of Medvedev against Chung in the second semifinals. 

On the women’s side, the French Open semifinalist Amanda Anisimova was forced to pull out from Abu Dhabi’s event due to an injury. The American teenager was drawn to face the five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova in the opening round.

“It’s really disappointing to have to withdraw from the Mubadala World Tennis Championship,” Anisimova said in a press release. “I was looking forward so much to coming to Abu Dhabi and I hope to make the trip in the future.”

As Anisimova’s replacement the Australian tennis player Ajla Tomljanovic makes a late-minute entry at the three-day exhibition event. “I’ve heard amazing things about Abu Dhabi and the championship, and I’m really looking forward to playing in front of this crowd against Maria,” said Tomljanovic. “It will give the perfect challenge ahead of a big season.”

Tomljanovic will be playing against Sharapova in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Besides these two, Jelena Ostapenko, Serena Williams and Venus Williams are the only WTA players who have played at the UAE’s exhibition event.