With Nadal and Djokovic featuring, Wawrinka looking forward to 'most competitive' Abu Dhabi event
KEY POINTS
- Wawrinka and Djokovic will return to action at the Mudabala World Tennis Championships.
- The likes of Rafael Nadal, Milos Raonic and Dominic Thiem are also taking part.
- The Abu Dhabi event takes place from 28-30 December.
Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka is looking forward to making his return to tennis in what is a highly-stacked Mubadala World Tennis Championships event in Abu Dhabi.
Wawrinka last featured at Wimbledon in July when he was sent packing in the first round after his shock 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 loss to Daniil Medvedev.
Having played with an issue with his left knee for months, the Swiss star decided to undergo surgery and end his 2017 season early.
Wawrinka's absence meant he was unable to defend his US Open title in August which resulted in him dropping in the ATP tennis rankings from third to ninth.
Now fit and ready to return though, the 32-year-old will make his return to action in Abu Dhabi alongside Novak Djokovic, who also ended his season after Wimbledon due to injury, and Milos Raonic, who has not featured since early October, in what is a highly-competitive field.
"Since ending the 2017 campaign, I've been working hard each day to get ready for the new season," Wawrinka said, as quoted on The National.
"The Championship will offer the perfect opportunity for me to get back on the court ahead of the year's first Grand Slam. This year's line-up is one of the most competitive ever and I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Wawrinka will face Pablo Carreno Busta first and if he defeats the Spaniard, he will face Djokovic in the semi-final. The other side of the draw features a match between Raonic and Dominic Thiem to determine who faces world number one Rafael Nadal in the semi-final.
Meanwhile, Djokovic is also excited to be back and is hoping a winning return in Abu Dhabi will put him in good stead for the 2018 Australian Open.
"It is always an honour to play in Abu Dhabi and I can't wait to get back on court again," Djokovic said. "This tournament will offer me the perfect opportunity to start my preparation for the Australian Open."
The exhibition event takes place from 28-30 December with prize money worth $250,000 (£187,000) on offer for the winner.
