Casper Ruud to join Carlos Alcaraz at Mubadala World Tennis Championship

Two-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud will join world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz in making his debut at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in December, organisers announced on Tuesday.

Ruud, 23, is the second player to be confirmed for the six-man tournament at Zayed Sports City's International Tennis Centre in Abu Dhabi, which takes place December 16-18.

Alcaraz, who beat Ruud in a thrilling US Open final last month, was the first male player to be announced, while the one-off women's match will be contested by world No 2 Ons Jabeur and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu.

“I’m really looking forward to visiting Abu Dhabi for the first time to contest the Mubadala World Tennis Championship,” Ruud said. “It’s been a tournament on my radar for some time and I know that the level of tennis is going to be of the highest quality. I’m excited to be involved and play in front of my fans over there in the UAE.”

Ruud is enjoying another superb season, adding to the five titles he won in 2021 with another three this year while also reaching two Grand Slam finals, at Roland Garros and the US Open. Ranked world No 3, the Norwegian reached a career-high No 2 following the US Open final.

“We are delighted to confirm Casper Ruud will be contesting this year’s championship," said John Lickrish, CEO Flash Entertainment, the tournament's owners. "To have the world No 1 and No 3, and the next generation of tennis superstars, is a real coup for the UAE capital and shows the popularity of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.

"Just last month, these two players were contesting the final of the US Open and now there is every chance they could face each other in Abu Dhabi. That is what we are always looking to produce – an event featuring