2011 Mubadala World Tennis Championship (January)
Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 7-6(7–4)7-6(7–3)
Abu Dhabi got a taste of the greatest rivalry men’s football has ever seen.
Nadal and Federer became the world’s first two to compete in 2011 while both had won Grand Slams for fun. The final that followed between them in the UAE capital is long remembered.
Both epic sets went into the tiebreak. Both were narrowly decided with 7:4, 7:3.
It would be Nadal who would prevail and begin a season highlighted by a sixth French Open success.
Mubadala World Tennis Championships 2021
Andrey Rublev defeated Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6(7–2)
A fairytale victory was denied two years ago in Abu Dhabi.
2009 and 2015 champion Andy Murray arrived at the December 2021 event after suffering serious injuries and major surgery. His chronic hip problem should shatter any illusions of victory for 2022.
But this doomsday scenario was almost averted.
Murray defeated compatriot Dan Evans 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals and defeated old rival Nadal 6-3, 7-5 in the last four. Andrey Rublev was waiting in the final.
Russia’s defending champion proved too strong and prevailed in straight sets. But Murray’s fight will not be forgotten.
2018 Mubadala World Tennis Championships
Venus Williams beat Serena Williams 4-6, 6-3, [10–8]
It was the exhibition lineup that everyone at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex wanted.
The legendary Williams sisters entered the fray in the one-off duel, with the older Venus showing the younger Serena that she still had it.
First, they traded sets in front of a gleeful crowd, pushing the competition into a super tiebreak.
Venus would emerge victorious from this captivating stanza against her 23-time Grand Slam winner, prevailing 10-8.
