Carlos Alcaraz, long hailed as the world’s top player, faced an injury setback during the Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy on November 4. An abdominal issue forced him to withdraw from the ATP Finals in Turin and the final phase of the Davis Cup. The Murcian star, who won over fans worldwide, was still 43 days into his recovery when he prepared to return to the court. On the upcoming Saturday, he was set to rejoin the action in Abu Dhabi, taking part in Mubadala World Tennis Championship, a high-profile event that traditionally gathers elite names by invitation.
Besides Alcaraz, several other top-ten players were scheduled to compete in Abu Dhabi, including Casper Ruud (ranked 3), Stefanos Tsitsipas (ranked 4), and Andrey Rublev (ranked 8). The lineup was completed by British talent Cameron Norrie (ranked 14) and Croatian Borna Coric (ranked 26). Coric’s inclusion came at the last moment due to another player withdrawing from the event.
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The action kicked off at the International Tennis Center in Zayed Sports City. The winner of Friday’s match, featuring Alcaraz, Rublev, and Coric, would be decided at 4 p.m. local time on Saturday in Spain. In the other quarter-final pairing, Tsitsipas would meet Norrie. The championship match was scheduled for Sunday at three in the afternoon. The format for Mubadala World Tennis is best of two sets, with a decisive super tiebreak if necessary. The venue, renowned for its luxury facilities, can host around 5,000 spectators and also participates in hosting the ATP 500 events throughout the year.
Facing this tournament with a clear plan is crucial for Alcaraz, especially after a long spell of recovery. Having completed his abdominal injury recovery, which had him ending the 2022 season early, he had focused on physical conditioning during the pre-season. His team prioritized essential technical work to regain peak form, balancing fitness with strategic refinements.
Following this exhibition event, the winner would claim a prize of $250,000, with substantial appearance fees contributing to the overall prize pool. After the tournament, Alcaraz planned to return to Murcia to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas with family, continuing his training in El Palmar and Villena. The calendar suggested a light approach afterward, with two exhibition matches in Australia planned for January 10 and 12, ahead of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the 2023 season, which would begin on January 16.