Stage set for star-studded third season of World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi

As the sun rises on toady, Abu Dhabi will be home to ‘The Greatest Show on Court!’ as top tennis stars along with music icons come together for World Tennis League Season 3.

Scheduled to take place at the Etihad Arena from Thursday to December 22, 2024, the league is supported by Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), and Miral.

World Tennis League Season 3 will feature four teams – HonorFX Eagles, TSL Hawks, Game Changers Falcons, and Kites — each comprising of four players.

In the previous edition, Team Eagles, led by Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Mirra Andreeva, and Sofia Kenin, were crowned champions.

This year marks an exciting new chapter in the league as fresh talent steps onto the stage, bringing a wave of energy and unpredictability. In a bold move to amplify the competition, the teams have been strategically reshuffled, blending seasoned veterans with rising stars.

This dynamic mix promises to heighten the intensity, deliver unpredictable matchups, and keep fans on the edge of their seats throughout the season.

With every lineup boasting unique strengths and untapped potential, the league is set to become more electrifying than ever, ensuring unforgettable moments and fierce rivalries that will redefine the spirit of the game.

Elena Rybakina, Caroline Garcia, Andrey Rublev, Denis Shapovalov will play for Game Changers Falcons while TSL Hawks will feature Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Sumit Nagal, Jordan Thompson.

Iga Swiatek, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Shevchenko and Paula Badosa will represent HonorFX Eagles.

Simona Halep, Jasmine Paolini, Nick Kyrgios, Casper Ruud will aim to fly Kites high.

All the teams will compete in a single round-robin format, with each team playing one match against each other. The top two teams, with the highest number of games won, will advance to the summit clash, scheduled to take place on December 22. Each match will consist of four sets: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, and two doubles sets, which may include Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, or Mixed Doubles, as determined by the team that wins the coin toss.

WTL will also follow a unique format, in which, if the trailing team wins the fourth set, the match goes into overtime (OT).

OT will continue until the leading team wins one more game or the trailing team matches the overall game total. If the game scores are equal, the match will be decided by a Super Shootout.

The same players playing the fourth set will continue to play the Super Shootout. The first to reach ten points wins, with sudden death at 9-9. The winner of the Super Shootout will be awarded one game and also earn two additional bonus points.

As teams battle out for the top spots, every game will have an impact on their standings, determined by the number of games won. If teams are tied in total points, their head-to-head record and game-winning percentage will come into play.

The season will kick start with an exciting opener as Game Changers Falcons, featuring top guns like Rybakina and Rublev, take on TSL Hawks, led by the Women’s World. No 1 Sabalenka and Indian tennis star Nagal.

Swiatek and Tsitsipas will lead the defending champions, HonorFX Eagles, against the Kites, featuring two-time Grand Slam champion Halep and crowd favourite Kyrgios.

On the second day, the Kites will take on Game Changers Falcons, while TSL Hawks will square off against HonorFX Eagles in the evening match.

On the penultimate day (December 21), TSL Hawks and Kites will play the opening match, followed by the last league stage match between Game Changers Falcons and HonorFX Eagles. The final of the World Tennis League Season 3 will be held on December 22.

Each day will feature two matches. The final will be held on Sunday, December 22.