Abu Dhabi: Reigning champion Novak Djokovic returns to Abu Dhabi this week with plans to secure an unprecedented fourth Mubadala World Tennis Championship title top of his agenda.
Victory at Zayed Sports City would not only see the world number one, who begins his campaign on Friday, take home the trophy for a fourth consecutive year, it would also set the tone for a 2015 season where the Serbian hopes to add further silverware to his already impressive collection.
Last year, Djokovic secured his seventh Grand Slam title at Wimbledon before finishing the year by winning the ATP World Tour Finals in London. And he hopes to begin the new year in the same vein at Abu Dhabi.
“The countdown really is on to the start of the new season starting in Abu Dhabi. We’re just days away, so I’m genuinely excited,” he said.
“2014 has been such a memorable year for me and I can’t wait to get back on the court and face-off against the world’s best players. Right now I’m feeling good, fresh and motivated to keep on playing at the very highest level.
“The first few matches of the season are always special and I’ll be looking to make sure that, in 2015, they are winners so I can get off to the best possible start.”
Djokovic will play his first match on day two of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, facing the winner of the opening day match between world number 4 Stanislas Wawrinka, the Swiss star who won last year’s Australian Open, and Nicolas Almagro, who the Serb beat in the final of the tournament two years ago.
“Abu Dhabi has built a reputation for pulling together the most formidable line-up of players. All of the potential opponents are going to test me so I will have to be at my best,” Djokovic added.
“I’ll start the season with a match against either Stan Wawrinka or Nicolas Almagro so, from the moment we’re out there, it’s going to be intense competition. The fans will be in fine form I’m sure so it’s going to be the perfect start to the new season.”
Six of the world’s best players will compete for the title in Abu Dhabi, with Djokovic joined by world number three Rafael Nadal, Wawrinka, British Number one Andy Murray, world number 14 Feliciano Lopez and Almagro. The tournament runs from Thursday until Saturday.
