Mubadala Championship to roll with Tsonga-Goffin, Nadal-Berdych ties

French superstar Jo Wilfred Tsonga signs autographs for kids during the draw at the International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City on Monday.

Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2016 will open with clash between World No. 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and tournament debutant David Goffin on Day One - December 29. This will be followed by reigning Mubadala champion Rafael Nadal taking on No. 10 Tomas Berdych. While the two battles promises epic clashes, No. 1 Andy Murray and No. 4 Milos Raonic got byes and can afford to cool their heels till Day Two.
 It was Tsonga who unveiled the names for the draw at the International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City on Monday. And he went on to pour his mind on his form and injury, friends and rivals, and the status of the Championship remaining an exhibition match after all these years. Reflecting on his year so far, the French superstar said: "The year was a difficult year with injuries and problems but I have come back stronger. I hope to start the year on a high. I know if I play well here then I have a good chance to do well in other tournaments. Any player who wins here finishes the year in the Top 3."
 On his prospects at the Mubadala event, Tsonga said: "I need a good preparation. It's going to be a good fight. The next step for me to be a better player is to beat them (higher-ranked players) more often. It's going to be difficult." Sharing his thoughts on Murray's rise to the top, he said: "He is the best player at the moment. I have met him a few times this year and he has beaten me all the time. I am looking forward to a victory. It's going to be difficult."
 On 'friend' Goffin, he said: "I will play him first. He is a very good friend and we spend a lot of time on tour together. He is great and very fast player. It will be interesting to see how our game styles match against each other."
 On the 'exhibition' status for this tournament, he said: "That is when you do something for fun. When we play here, we play seriously. We want to compare how we are compared to other. It's important."
 On Novak Dokovic's dip in form, the No. 12 said: "Time changes. It's not easy to be consistent. He has done really well and been number one for few years in a row. He is still only second. It's a long season. It's unbelievable to be at his level."
The tournament starts December 29 and the finals will be on December 31 at Zayed Sports City. Ticket starts at a low of Dh50. Time to smash your way into the New Year with superstars. - ashwani@khaleejtimes.com