Andy Murray is already looking ahead to a strong 2015 season which for him, kicks off on January 1 when the first ball of the year is hit on Day One of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.

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The official tournament draw unveiled today confirms that Murray will line up against Frenchman Gaël Monfils at 5pm for the first match of the annual tournament at International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City from January 1-3.

Murray will take on French maestro Gaël Monfils on Day One of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship and should he make it through to Day Two, Rafael Nadal awaits. 

As the second seed, Nadal receives a bye along with top seed and world number one Novak Djokovic who will start his 2015 campaign against the winner of Day One’s second fixture between reigning Australian Open champion, Stan Wawrinka, and crowd favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

For fans in the UAE, this may be the only chance to see the two-time Grand Slam winner and Olympic champion, who has not yet confirmed another appearance in the Emirates for the 2015 season. Looking ahead, Murray commented:

“I had a great run towards the end of this season with three titles.

“I’m pleased with how I’m playing at the moment and I’m feeling good after a tough start to 2014, coming off back surgery.

“I just want to keep that momentum going now into next year and playing in Abu Dhabi is an important part of that.

“I want to start my year strongly and I hope a successful tournament will bode well for 2015.”

All the action of the tournament kicks off on centre court at 5pm, January 1st 2015 when Murray opens the season against Monfils. World number four Stan Wawrinka, who went on from last year’s Mubadala World Tennis Championship to win the Australian Open, takes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to round off Day One’s action.

As the winner’s progress the other players will still have another match to play when they return to centre court for a fifth/sixth place play-off on Day Two from 2.30pm.

The tournament semi-finals will follow with the winners from the previous day’s play going through to meet Djokovic and Nadal respectively.

On January 2nd, all six players in the world-class line-up will be in action on centre court – a rare opportunity for any sports fan and one not to be missed.

Play continues on Day Three, January 3rd, with the third/fourth place showdown starting from 5pm followed by the Championship match and potential Nadal-Djokovic battle from 7pm.

What: Mubadala World Tennis Championship
Where: International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City
When: January 1-3
Contact: visit www.mubadalawtc.com and Mubadal’s Facebook page for more information