Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek and Nick Kyrgios are some of the big names who will play in a new tennis event that will take place in Dubai before Christmas day, between December 19 and 24, 2022. In addition to Djokovic, Swiatek and Kyrgios, other players have also confirmed their participation.
Among them are Simona Halep, Elena Rybakina and Alexander Zverev. “This new event is exciting, there is no doubt,” Djokovic said in a WTL statement. “I love playing in Dubai, I’ve had a lot of success there over the years and I really enjoy the fans.
This is something different, and it’s going to be great to be a part of it” Iga Swiatek also spoke of the event: “I like especially when tennis connects with people and when it is true entertainment. When combined with a great show and music, it’s even better, so that’s why I’m excited to join the World Tennis League this year.
I am happy that together with other top players we are introducing tennis as fun to new audiences. I can not wait.” According to the official website of the World Tennis League, the WTL is a “4-team competition that brings together 16 of the best players in the world along with 6 global artists.
This promises to make you live a tennis event like never before.” To form the teams, according to the WTL, “a player draw will take place on November 1, in which the 16-player squad will be divided into four teams of four players each, and a Round Robin format for tournament matches.
Kyrgios is in great shape
Asked by the Telegraph on the sidelines of the Laver Cup which took place in London last weekend, Rod Laver spoke in particular about his compatriot Nick Kyrgios, who finally seems to have realized his immense talent.
Finalist at Wimbledon against Novak Djokovic in July, the Australian received encouragement but also some reprimands from his elder. “Kyrgios has every ability in the world, every shot you could want to do. He’s probably one of the greatest servers in the game.
He’s precise, he can play under pressure. I was delighted that he reached the final, but he didn’t think he could win Wimbledon. In my mind, I said, ‘Hey, do your best performance. You might surprise yourself. A month or two later, I said to him, ‘You can win these games, why don’t you apply yourself, man?’ I think that hit him close.
He realized he was good enough and he could do it. It’s the best thing that ever happened to him. Unfortunately, he said he wanted to return to Australia and not play the Laver Cup. But he knows he can play and compete now.
He must not enter the court saying to himself: “If I win three games, that’s enough” Now he’s like, ‘Next year? Wimbledon? You will see a different player.”
