Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has confirmed her participation in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship later this year, in an exclusive announcement on Dubai Eye 103.8’s Off Script.
The 32-year-old will go head-to-head with teen sensation Amanda Anisimova, referred to by many in the game as ‘the new Sharapova’. The 18-year-old burst onto the scene earlier this year by beating world No.4 Simona Halep on her way to becoming the youngest American to reach the women’s French Open semi-finals since 1990.
It’s Sharapova’s name, however, that will capture tennis fans’ imagination given her achievements in the game. She is one of only 10 women who can boast a Career Grand Slam, winning Wimbledon (2004), the US Open (2006), the Australian Open (2008) and the French Open (2012 & 2014).
“I can’t wait to see everyone in Abu Dhabi in December,” said Sharapova. “It’s an honour to be part of this championship and to be involved in only the third women’s match in Mubadala World Tennis Championship history. Serena and Venus Williams set the benchmark last year and hopefully I can play my part in elevating the sport, especially amongst women, in Abu Dhabi.”
For Anisimova the 12th edition of the tournament which has long been seen as the traditional curtain raiser for the new season provides another opportunity to continue impressing on her fledging journey in tennis and test herself against the best.
“I will be making my first visit to Abu Dhabi and I want to make sure I’m bringing my A-game to the Mubadala World Tennis Championship and show the spectators what I can do,” said World No.29.
The announcement of the female players comes just two days after 19-time Grand Slam ace Rafael Nadal and his 2019 US Open final opponent Daniil Medvedev were confirmed as the first two big-names for the six-man line-up.
WHAT: The Mubadala World Tennis Championship
WHERE: International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi
WHEN: December 19-21
TICKETS: Tickets starting from AED 100 for Adults, are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE, with kids going free on Day One, for the second year running.
11:00pm - 6:00am
Dubai Eye complements the conversation with the music you love from the eighties, nineties and newer.
6:00am - 10:00am
The Business Breakfast is the day’s must listen for the UAE’s business leaders, and those who aspire to be.
A report from Bayzat, an HR software, says that there's been a 38% increase in the amount employees are claiming back in fuel charges.
Airports are facing an increase in baggage mishandling rate as the number of passengers continue to rise. So we asked Nicole Hogg, Product Management Director, Baggage at SITA whether bag loss is a new trend.
H.E. Ibrahim Al Qassim, Deputy Director General of the UAE Space Agency joined us to explain what it would take for more people to be able to go into space.
Dubai Police recently warned residents not to join in a viral trend aimed at proving the city's honest nature by leaving valuables unattended. But what if you found yourself doing so accidentally in the most unlikely way?
ADGM, a financial free zone and the international financial centre of the UAE capital, will add Al-Reem Island to its current location on Al-Maryah Island.