Abu Dhabi: ‘The greatest athlete that has walked on a tennis court’ — who apparently possesses some sublime dance moves to add to his rich sporting repertoire — will be taking part in ‘the greatest event of its kind in the world’ in Abu Dhabi next year.

Those were the thunderous statements of intent issued at a press conference on Monday to announce the addition of flamboyant Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils to the Mubadala World Tennis Championship’s stellar line-up.

The effervescent tournament ambassador Pat Cash, the 1987 Wimbledon champion, was in typically ebullient mood when asked to comment on Tsonga and Monfils’ decision to join world number one and three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka at the January 1-3 event.

He provided a particularly powerful eulogy of the charismatic Monfils, the world number 18, who was on the brink of shocking 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer at the US Open last month, when he had two match points in the quarter-finals before losing in five sets.

The Australian, a former world number four, said: “These two players are two of my favourite players to watch in the world. They are a fantastic addition to the tournament.

“We know about Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who has been in Grand Slam finals and will be in the final of the Davis Cup this year [in November for France against Switzerland].

“We have seen his pedigree; he’s got a good record against all the top 10 players and is always a threat at a Grand Slam tournament. But the other exciting player is Gael Monfils, who is the most entertaining player I’ve ever seen on a tennis court. He is absolutely magnificent and you cannot take your eyes off him for a second.”

Cash added: “I’m not just saying this, as I have heard it time and time again from pro players, but he is the greatest athlete that has walked on a tennis court. I have never seen a player do so many incredible things, with his movement and the shots that he does. The goal would be to see him dance, though. Have you seen him dance? He could be in an RnB band or do breakdancing. He’s so entertaining.”

Tsonga and Monfils were not present at the media briefing held at the three-day event’s venue, the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City, but both issued statements expressing their delight at returning to Abu Dhabi.

Monfils, who will be returning to the tournament for the first time in three years, said: “I’m excited to be one of the select players invited back to the tournament again this year. All of the players talk about Abu Dhabi and it has become a key part of the pre-season calendar.”

Meanwhile, Greg Sproule, the managing director of tournament organisers IMG Middle East, insisted that two-time champion Nadal is still due to appear at the season-opening tournament despite a persistent knee injury and appendicitis.

“We are in regular touch with his team and manager Carlos Costa, and the message is he will play,” Sproule said.

He added that the tournament was ‘the greatest tournament of its kind in the world’, given the ‘unprecedented access’ spectators have to the tennis glitterati through initiatives such as competitions, autograph opportunities and schools’ programmes.

Sproule also said its continued ability to attract the best players in the world is due to the fact that it was the ideal tune-up for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open in January, given that it matches the court and weather conditions in Melbourne.

Cash later launched the tournament’s community programmes, with a tennis clinic for schoolchildren from 20 schools and their physical education teachers.

The two community ventures, Mubadala Tennis in Schools and the Mubadala Community Cup, aim to ensure a legacy for tennis in the UAE.

The Mubadala Community Cup returns to see tennis fans of all ages compete to win a once-in-a-lifetime clinic with a star player during the Championship.

Following the success of the previous year, the latest instalment will see the return of Mubadala Community Cup’s inter-Emirate play-off, when winners from Abu Dhabi compete with their Dubai counterparts during the tournament. Registration is now open at www.mubadalawtc.com, with a new category added for coaches.