When is the 2018 Mubadala World Tennis Championship?: complete guide to Abu Dhabi tournament starring Djokovic, Nadal and Williams sisters

Six-player pre-season event enters its 11th edition at the end of December and once again boasts the biggest stars in tennis

The two best male players in the world, Novak Djokovic, right, and Rafael Nadal will compete at the 2018 Mubadala World Tennis Championship. Reuters

What is it?

The Mubadala World Tennis Championship is a six-player pre-season tournament featuring some of the leading players in men's tennis. This year's event –  entering its 11th edition – will also feature a one-off women's match for a second successive year.

Where is it?

The International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

When is it?

December 27-29, 2018.

Who is playing?

The 2018 MWTC could well be the finest line-up the tournament has ever assembled. World No 1 Novak Djokovic will be bidding for a record-equalling fourth title, but faces competition from world No 2 Rafael Nadal, who will look to extend his record to five titles. The superstar duo are joined by world No 6 Kevin Anderson, who returns to defend the title, and world No 8 Dominic Thiem. World No 11 Karen Khachanov and world No 25 Hyeon Chung complete the men's line-up.

The women's match will see Serena Williams – arguably the greatest female player of all-time – take on her sister Venus.

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What is the tournament's format and draw?

As the top seeds, Djokovic and Nadal have received byes to Day 2's semi-finals. The opening day will therefore comprise the two quarter-final matches: Anderson v Chung and Thiem v Khachanov – and the Williams' one-off match.

Either Anderson or Chung will then face Nadal on Day 2, before Djokovic takes on the winner of Thiem's clash with Khachanov.

Day 3 will then host the third-place play-off and final.

What does the schedule look like?

December 27
4pm: Anderson v Chung (quarter-final 1)
6pm: Thiem v Khachanov (quarter-final 2)
8pm: S Williams v V Williams (ladies' singles match)

December 28
3pm: Fifth-place play-off
5pm: Nadal v winner of QF 1 (semi-final)
7pm: Djokovic v winner of QF 2 (semi-final)

December 29
5pm: Third-place play-off
7pm: Final
9pm: Championship award ceremony

What else is going on away from the action?

There will be plenty of activities for the entire family to enjoy in the Tennis Village. Every day there will be a coaching clinic for children hosted by one of the players, and there will be opportunities to get player autographs during signing sessions.

There will also be activities on offer from the various tournament sponsors, as well as plenty of food and beverage outlets.

How much are the tickets?

Tickets on Day 1 cost from Dh75 for Category 2, Dh212.50 for Category 1 and Dh795 for Premier. Children ages 2-12 enter for free on Day 1 with any purchased adult ticket.

Tickets on Day 2 cost from Dh150 for Category 2, Dh350 for Category 1 and Dh1,395 for Premier.

Tickets for Day 3 cost from Dh200 for Category 2, Dh450 for Category 1 and Dh1,795 for Premier.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.ae

Any more information?

For more information about the tournament, please visit www.mubadalawtc.com