Tennis superstar Serena Williams has confirmed her return to the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) in Abu Dhabi later this month, where she will play sister Venus in a one-off match.
Williams, who has won 23-grand slam singles titles, competed in the inaugural women's event last year when she took on Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko in her first match after giving birth to her daughter.
This year, however, will be "even more special" for Williams as the American will face her seven-time grand slam winning sister Venus, with whom she has won 14 major doubles titles.
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“I loved playing in Abu Dhabi last year. I am excited to return to such a beautiful city and to see my fans," Williams said in a statement released by organisers on Tuesday. "This time, I’ll be playing against my sister, so the match will be even more special.”
Former world No 1 Williams was voted 2018 WTA Comeback Player of the Year after returning last season to reach the Wimbledon and US Open finals, despite a number of health complications during and post-pregnancy.
Williams, 37, was defeated by Germany's Angelique Kerber in the Wimbledon final, while Japan's Naomi Osaka was victorious in a controversial US Open title match.
The American's return to MWTC, which takes place December 27-29 at Zayed Sports City's International Tennis Centre, adds even more star power to the tournament's line-up.
#REVEALED! @SerenaWilliams, the epitome of inspiration, the idol for aspiring female athletes, one of the most revolutionary women in the world, to play on day 1 this December! Catch one of the greatest legends, back at #MWTC 🎟 https://t.co/AaDLqtLe3b #SalamSerena #Announcement pic.twitter.com/rGBZrQhMiB
— Mubadala World Tennis Championship (@MubadalaWTC) December 4, 2018
The six-player men's event will feature the top two players in the world, with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both confirmed. They will be joined by defending champion Kevin Anderson, French Open finalist Dominic Thiem, Australian Open semi-finalist Hyeon Chung, and Paris Masters champion Karen Khachanov.
Day 1 of the tournament will see the Williams sisters do battle as well as two men's matches, with the winners progressing to face either Djokovic or Nadal in the semi-finals. Anderson will take on Chung in the first quarter-final, with the winner facing Nadal in the last-four. Thiem will then play Khachanov for the right to face Djokovic in the other semi-final.
Fantastic pairings and exciting matches up ahead, the draw is now REVEALED! Your favourite players will be battling each other. Are you ready for #MWTC? #Tennis #Draw #Schedule #December pic.twitter.com/1Jdi1K3Ojt
— Mubadala World Tennis Championship (@MubadalaWTC) November 28, 2018
The second day will then comprise the two semi-finals, with the final day hosting the third-place play-off and final.
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com,
