Goffin gears up for Tsonga test on Abu Dhabi debut

Goffin has never appeared at the Mubadala Championship before

With the Mubadala World Tennis Championship just around the corner, David Goffin has his focus firmly set on Abu Dhabi for his debut appearance in the capital.
 Belgium's No. 1 player, and the highest-ever ranked player in his country's history, Goffin will open against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in match one of day one, giving fans a World No.11 v World No.12 close clash to kick-off the title race.
 Goffin has never appeared at the Mubadala Championship before and will face five-time attendee Tsonga in a tight match-up at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, on December 29. The winner will then go on to play World No.1 Andy Murray on day two, with victory resulting in a place in the New Year's Eve final.
 In 2015, Goffin broke into the world's top 20 thanks to decent runs in major tournaments. He was the driving force behind the Belgium Davis Cup team's surprise run to the final in the same year, which they eventually lost to Andy Murray's Great Britain. This year has been another standout for the up-and-coming Belgian, having reached the ATP World Tour Finals for the first time in his career.
 Although Goffin is set to face Murray again if he defeats Tsonga, he has the opportunity to meet World No.3 Milos Raonic, fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal or Czech giant Tomas Berdych in the final. Berdych and Nadal play day one's second match, with the winner moving on to meet Raonic on the second day of the tournament. The winners of day two will come head-to-head on New Year's Eve for the final.
 Goffin said: "The players have always talked about this tournament being a great season starter, and it's something I've wanted to take part in for a while. I'm looking forward to experiencing it first-hand and against some of the best players in the world. Jo sent me a text from the official draw which he attended in Abu Dhabi - it was picture of the match schedule showing us drawn together. He's great - fun to play with and watch, so I hope fans come out to enjoy the game with us in Abu Dhabi."Many are excited to see Goffin play in the tournament for the first time, including some young players who recently took part in the Mubadala Community Cup, a tournament which supports the growth of up and coming talent in the region each year. Semifinalist of the boys 14s and under, Anurag Reddy, said: "I watch the Mubadala Championship every year and I'm really excited to watch Goffin on centre court as it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. I like his style of play and I cannot wait to watch him live - hopefully I will get to meet him in the Tennis Village too."
 
Designed to be the ultimate family activity ground, the Tennis Village adds to the exceptional event atmosphere and ensures there is plenty of room to catch the fast-paced tennis action as well as get up close and personal with the players. The action in Tennis Village kicks off before the first ball is hit on day one, which promises to be a star-studded affair. World No. 1 Andy Murray and 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will both be giving tennis coaching clinics, free for everyone to view, with Murray and Raonic also on hand to sign autographs for eager fans during the day.