Abu Dhabi: Two Spaniards will replace a pair of Frenchmen in the line-up for next month’s Mubadala World Tennis Championships here after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils withdrew from the tournament due to injury.
Instead, world number 14 Feliciano Lopez and Nicolas Almagro will take part in the season-opening event between January 1 and 3.
Tsonga is out due to an arm injury, while Monfils suffered a torn hamstring earlier this week.
“Unfortunately my team have advised me that I need to rest my arm in order to give myself the best possible chance for success in 2015,” Tsonga said. “I am very disappointed that I will not be able to compete this year in Abu Dhabi. I was really excited about returning to play as I always have a great experience at the event, both on the court and off it.”
Almagro will play in Abu Dhabi for a second time, having reached the final two years ago, when he was beaten by Novak Djokovic in an epic match.
He will open his 2015 campaign on day one of the annual tournament against reigning Australian Open Champion, Stan Wawrinka, with Djokovic awaiting the winner on day two.
“I’m really happy to be coming back to Abu Dhabi. The tournament will give me a great opportunity to play against the top players in the world and, of course, I’ll be hoping to repeat the success I had two years ago, although I know it will be tough. Everyone will be coming to Abu Dhabi fresh and ready to play their best on the first day of the year.”
Lopez, who will be making his tournament debut, will be looking to build on a successful 2014. After a strong performance at Wimbledon, where he reached the fourth round, the 33-year-old went on to beat Rafael Nadal in Shanghai — a defeat his fellow Spaniard could look to gain revenge for in the UAE capital.
World number 18 Monfils said: “I am hugely saddened not to be able to compete in Abu Dhabi and it is not a decision taken lightly, but unfortunately I have been advised by doctors to rest. It is a tournament I know and love, the fans are always so passionate, so I am disappointed not to be able to return and put on a great game for them.”
Also competing in Abu Dhabi next month will be world number one Djokovic, number three Nadal, Wawrinka and double Grand Slam winner Andy Murray.
Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and at all Virgin Megastore outlets across the UAE, or by calling 800 TM UAE (800 86 823).
