Novak Djokovic said he was delighted to be challenging Rafa Nadal for a record fifth title in Abu Dhabi after confirming he will defend his Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC).
The Serbian star, the joint-most successful player in MWTC history alongside long-time rival Nadal, was announced as the fifth player for the 2019 lineup.
Djokovic, 32, and Nadal have both won the pre-season tournament four times and the 16-time Grand Slam champion will go head-to-head with Nadal in aiming to become MWTC's most decorated player at the December 19-21 tournament.
The Spanish world No 1 confirmed his participation in October, as did Russian world No 4 Daniil Medvedev.
Having enjoyed a trophy-laden year, Djokovic said that he hoped to hit the ground running as he prepares for another 12 months of competition, with the MWTC being the perfect start to his season.
"Abu Dhabi is a special place and one where I have tasted success consistently. The courts are great, the spectators know their sport, and the atmosphere is thoroughly enjoyable,” said Djokovic.
“The lineup for the tournament is really strong. You always want to play challenging opponents early in the season in order to get a good measure of yourself and I am hoping I can put in place a few things that I have been working on in the off-season."
John Lickrish, CEO Flash Entertainment, said: “Novak’s confirmation is proof that the Mubadala World Tennis Championship has developed into a premier tournament, attracting the cream of tennis talent from across the world.
"Novak is no stranger to Abu Dhabi, having won the title four times and I am confident that he will come into the tournament firing on all cylinders.
“Innovation and a constant uptick in the value we aim to provide to spectators has been a hallmark of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. This year, the change in dates, a line-up brimming with class, and the transformation of the International Tennis Centre into a wholesome entertainment village, are part of our efforts to make the tournament a certainty in the calendars of UAE residents and visitors.”
Djokovic won the 2018 event by beating South African Kevin Anderson in the final, clinching the title with what he described as "one of the best match points I have ever had".
Nadal, Djokovic and Medvedev are currently competing in the season-ending ATP Finals in London, and the next time they will be sharing a court will be at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City.
The remaining three players of the six-man tournament are set to be announced shortly.
Meanwhile, the one-off women's match - entering its third edition this year - has already been filled and will see former world No 1 Maria Sharapova take on American teen sensation Amanda Anisimova.
Djokovic will return to Abu Dhabi after another stellar season during which he won two Grand Slam titles - his seventh Australian Open and fifth Wimbledon - two Masters 1000 titles, in Madrid and Paris, and the Tokyo Open.
Djokovic is also in with a chance to claim the year-end No 1 ranking for a sixth time, which would move him ahead of Nadal, Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors, and pull him level with Pete Sampras.
However, Djokovic was beaten by Dominic Thiem in the ATP Finals in London on Wednesday morning and now has to beat Roger Federer in his final group match on Thursday in order to advance to the semi-finals.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Euro 2020
Group A: Italy, Switzerland, Wales, Turkey
Group B: Belgium, Russia, Denmark, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria,
Georgia/Kosovo/Belarus/North Macedonia
Group D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic,
Scotland/Israel/Norway/Serbia
Group E: Spain, Poland, Sweden,
N.Ireland/Bosnia/Slovakia/Ireland
Group F: Germany, France, Portugal,
Iceland/Romania/Bulgaria/Hungary
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
