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World-class tennis players and high-flying DJs host a festive feast at the Coca-Cola Arena
Novak Djokovic of Serbia. — AFP file
An exciting new era in sporting history will be written at Dubai’s iconic Coca-Cola Arena on Monday 19 December as the inaugural mixed-gender World Tennis League (WTL) kicks off.
The six-day tournament brings together some of the biggest names in tennis and entertainment for an unprecedented feast of sporting and musical entertainment.
The new team event format, reminiscent of the now-defunct Hopman Cup, looks to take tennis beyond its current state. Four franchise teams, consisting of two men’s and two women’s players, will compete against each other in a round-robin format, with the team with the most points advancing to the final. Each match will include men’s and women’s singles and mixed doubles.
The fan-friendly match will be played in two sets and, in the event of a tie, a 10-point tiebreaker will be used to decide the outcome of the match.
21-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic (Falcons), women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek (Kites), 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios (Falcons) team) and former world No. 2 Alexander will feature in their respective teams. Zverev (Hawks).
WTL CEO Scott Davidoff (far right) with HonorFX CEO Filippo De Rosa, Falcons sponsor (far left) and players Aryna Sabalen Paula Badosa, ka Grigor Dimitrov. – Photos provided
Scott Davidoff, World Tennis Federation chief executive, said: “The World Tennis Federation is unlike any other tennis event in the world because it not only gives viewers the opportunity to see many household names they may have only seen on TV before, but also You can party late into the night with world famous music acts.”
“The fusion of great tennis and top-notch musical performances is an unrivaled combination, guaranteeing an experience tennis will never forget,” added Davidoff.
“Tournaments like this are great because they’re a business as much as a product, but by marketing both men’s and women’s tennis, you’re also trying to grow the game and benefit the players themselves. Especially the team format, which shows the quality of tennis players. Personality. Player.”
“I really like team games, so I’m really excited about this event,” said Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus, who is a member of the Falcons. A lot of high-level tennis.”
Sabalenka’s team-mate and former world No. 2 Paula Badossa echoed similar sentiments: “I also like the city of Dubai and I’m really looking forward to working with Novak and Grigor Dimit. Love played together on a strong team.
“Events like this help grow the sport and dovetail perfectly with entertainment because it brings in a bigger audience. It’s really good.”
“With matches like this, you can really connect with other players on the tour, men and women,” said Dimitrov, the fourth member of Djokovic’s Falcons team. “Each of us wants to be a part of it, enjoy it, and of course compete. Competitors always stay competitive.”
Filippo De Rosa, CEO of Falcons sponsor HonorFX, described the WTL as a unique event that will only get better.
“The World Tennis Federation combines great talent on the tennis court with world-renowned entertainment. We are delighted to be a part of it as it is the perfect way to connect with our international community of traders.”
Daily entertainment following the game will include world-class DJ Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Deadmau5 rapper Ne-Yo, hip-hop star Wizkid and Egyptian actor, singer, rapper Mohamed Ramadan and more.
team
Kite Team (Team A): Félix Auger-Aliassime, Gael Monfils, Iga Świątek, Sania Mirza and Eugenie Bouchard.
Eagles (Team B): Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Elena Rybakina and Anett Kontaveit.
Falcons (C team): Novak Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Elena Sabalenka and Paola Badossa.
Eagles (D team): Nick Kyrgios, Rohan Bopanna, Caroline Garcia, Bianca Andreescu and Andreas Seppi.
schedule
Monday 19 December
6:00pm Kite Team v Eagles
Felix Auger-Aliassime v Nick Kyrgios
Iga Swiatek v Caroline Garcia
Holger Rune/Sania Mirza v Bianca Andreescu/Rohan Bopanna
Concert Artist: Tiesto.10:00 p.m. start
Tuesday 20 December
6:00 p.m. Falcons vs. Hawks
Novak Djokovic v Alexander Zverev
Aryna Sabalenka v Elena Rybakina
Grigor Dimitrov/Paola Bardossa v Dominic Thiem/Arnet Kontavit
Concert Artist: Wizkid Start Time: 10-00pm
Wednesday 21 December
6:00 p.m. Falcons vs. Hawks
Novak Djokovic v Nick Kyrgios
Paula Bardoza v Caroline Garcia
Grigor Dimitrov/Aryna Sabalenka v Bianca Andreescu/Andreas Seppi
Concert Artist: Ne-Yo Start Time: 10 pm:00
Thursday 22 December
6:00pm Eagles v Kites
Dominic Thiem vs.Holger Rune
Anett Kontaveit v Igaswatek
Alexander Zverev/Elena Rybakina v Felix Auger-Aliassime/Eugenie Bouchard
Concert Artist: deadmau5 Start Time: 10:00pm
Friday 23 December
2:30 p.m. Eagles vs. Hawks
Nick Kyrgios v Alexander Zverev
Caroline Garcia by Elena Rybakina
Rohan Bopanna/Bianca Andreescu v Dominic Thiem/Annette Kontavit
6:00 p.m. Falcons v Kites
Novak Djokovic v Felix Auger-Aliasim
Aryna Sabalenka v Igaswatek
Holger Rune/Grigor Dimitrov/Paola Badossa for Sania Mirza
Concert artist: Mohamed Ramadan, start time: 22:00
Saturday 24 December
6:00pm Final
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