Andrey Rublev scripted a comeback for Game Changers Falcons’ for the World Tennis League 2024 title on Sunday, in the pre-cursor of 2025 season at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
TSL Hawks’ Mirra Andreeva and Aryna Sabalenka won the first match against Caroline Garcia and Elena Rybakina 7-6. The 17-year-old prodigy, then, upstaged Rybakina 6-2 to stake her claim.
In the men’s doubles, Rublev paired up with Denis Shapovalov as they dominated against Hawks’ Sumit Nagal and Jordan Thompson.
Rublev marked the win for the Falcons with a comfortable 6-1 victory over Indian in the men’s singles event.
“I’ve done team events for a while, and I’ve been very fortunate over the years to have really good people on the team. They get along well, they’re professional, they show up and at the end of the day, they perform,” Falcons coach and captain, John-Laffnie de Jager said.
“First time when we played against the Hawks, we were behind, we came back from that point to win it and the same happened tonight. So, the format is great, because you are never out and always have a chance to win it. It was an awesome campaign for us, and everybody enjoyed it.”
“You always look for matches in the off-season, and a team event like World Tennis League is the perfect way to check where your level is at. It was great to be alongside these players and win the competition,” Shapovalov added.
This season of the event was organised in association with Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), and Miral.