(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Victory at Zayed Sports City would also set the tone for the 2015 season where the Serbian hopes to add further silverware to his trophy cabinet.
Djokovic plans to secure an unprecedented fourth Mubadala Tennis title. — Supplied photo
Dubai — Reigning champion Novak Djokovic returns to Abu Dhabi in just a matter of days 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 take home the trophy for a fourth consecutive year with his campaign getting underway on centre court on January 2 it would also set the tone for the 2015 season where the Serbian hopes to add further silverware to his already impressive trophy cabinet.
After securing victory in the previous instalment of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship Djokovic suffered an unexpected loss to fellow MWTC star and eventual winner Stanislas Wawrinka in the Australian Open quarter finals. It wasn’t long before one of the toughest players on the tour was back in winning form taking his third Indian Wells title quickly followed by the Miami Open. After a brief break in May due to a recurring arm injury he returned to defeat Rafael Nadal in Rome winning his 19th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophy and winning five of the past seven titles at the 1000 tournament level. 2014 also saw Djokovic win his seventh Grand Slam championship and second Wimbledon crown before ending the season on another incredible high in England this time at the ATP World Tour Finals.
It was another memorable year for the Serbian and one upon which he is looking to build starting with victory at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship: “The countdown really is on to the start of the new season starting here in Abu Dhabi we’re just days away so I’m genuinely excited. 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 on 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 January 2 facing the winner of second Day One match either world number 4 Stanislas Wawrinka the Swiss star responsible for Djokovic’s loss at the Australian Open or former MWTC finalist Nicolas Almagro who Djokovic beat in the final of the tournament two years ago.
Djokovic added: “Abu Dhabi has built a reputation for pulling together the most formidable lineups of players. All of the potential opponents are going to test me so I will have to be at my best. 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 Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka British Number one Andy Murray world number 14 Feliciano Lopez and the 2012 Finalist Nicolas Almagro. Between them this year’s line-up hold 24 Grand Slam titles and all three previous tournament champions will return to the capital in January.
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