Two men's tennis giants Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka set to return from long injury layoffs

  • 25/10/2017
Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka
The two grand-slam winners last played at Wimbledon Photo credit: Getty

Former world No.1 Novak Djokovic and Swiss star Stan Wawrinka are to return from long injury layoffs at an exhibition event in December in Abu Dhabi.

They join the six-player line-up at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship from December 28-30, tournament organisers announced on Tuesday.

"I'm very excited to return to Abu Dhabi for the fifth time and take part in the 10th edition of the championship," Djokovic said.

The 12-time grand slam winner, who ranking has dropped to No.7, and three-time major winner Wawrinka, who sits ninth, will join No.1 Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem (6), Pablo Carreno Busta (11) and Milos Raonic (12) in the UAE.

"The line-up is strong and it will be the ideal opportunity for my return and the start of the season. Abu Dhabi is a beautiful place and this will be a big event for fans," Djokovic said.

Djokovic announced in July after a Wimbledon semi-final loss that he would take the rest of the year off to treat an elbow injury. He blamed this for a drop in his game from world dominance over the previous year.

Wawrinka has been out since a Wimbledon first-round loss. He missed his US Open title defence after a knee problem which needed surgery in August.

DPA