Rafael Nadal is hoping the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi will be the perfect start to 2016 as the Spaniard aims to lift the trophy for a third time.

Nadal, a 14-time Grand Slam winner and Olympic gold medallist, is aiming to make the 2016 season’s curtain-raiser over New Year the catalyst for a much improved 2016.

After a year in which he suffered from injury, the former World No.1 is leaving 2015 behind in search of recapturing his raison d’être.

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Speaking ahead of the tennis action in the capital, Nadal said: “Coming to Abu Dhabi for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship is always special, it is the perfect preparation for me to get ready for a new season.

“I feel in great shape so it should be incredible experience for me, for the other players and of course for the fans coming out to support us.”

The Mubadala World Tennis Championship is renowned for bringing the best in the tennis world to battle it out over three thrilling days of elite competition, while signifying the start of the global tennis season.

In 2014, Stan Wawrinka won the Australian Open only 25 days after the Abu Dhabi tournament, which serves as case in point for the importance of a good start to the New Year. For Rafael Nadal, it is a sentiment to be followed.

“It’s a very important springboard for what’s to come in the season ahead,” said Nadal. 

“The facilities are top-notch and it’s a place I enjoy coming to, and with the strong competition lined up, I’ll be trying to set myself up for a strong campaign. Hopefully I can be successful and lift that trophy for the third time.”

Nadal will get a bye into the second day of this year’s Mubadala World Tennis Championship where he will face either David Ferrer or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

For those fans who do not want to miss out on the action, tickets are available for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at www.ticketmaster.ae and all Virgin Megastores, or by calling 800 TMUAE (86 823) or +971 4 3662289 for International calls.