Andy Murray To Open His Season Against Gael Monfils At The Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2015

Andy Murray will officially kick off his 2015 season on Jan. 1 at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, or MWTC. According to the official tournament draw, which was released on Nov. 23, Murray will play against Frenchman Gael Monfils on the first day of the annual tournament at the International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City. The Mubadala Tennis Championship will run from Jan. 1 to 3.

Speaking via the tournament's official site, Murray said he had a fair run in the 2014 tennis season coming off from a back surgery. The Scot hopes that he can maintain the momentum and keep going in 2015.

"Abu Dhabi is an important part of that," the inaugural MWTC champion said. "I want to start my year strongly and I hope a successful tournament will bode well for 2015," Murray added.

Murray will take on Monfils on day one of the MWTC event. He leads their head-to-head record, 4-2. Their last meeting was at the quarterfinals of the 2014 French Open, where Murray defeated Monfils in five sets, 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-0.

If Murray overcomes the 18th-ranked Frenchman, he will face second seed and two-time MWTC champion Rafael Nadal on day two. Nadal has received a bye alongside top seed Novak Djokovic, who will face the winner of the match between Stan Wawrinka and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Prior to Murray's participation at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, the Scot will be playing for the Manila Mavericks for the International Premier Tennis League, or IPTL event. He will head to the Philippines for the Manila leg of the IPTL event. After Murray's stint in Manila, he is expected to fly back to Miami to start training for the 2015 season, 10balls reports.

The IPTL event will have tennis greats fly to four different cities in Asia, including Dubai, New Delhi, and Singapore, for brief playing appearances. Russian tennis superstar Maria Sharapova will also play for the Manila Mavericks. Other players playing for Manila Mavericks include Treat Huey, Carlos Moya, Kirsten Flipkens, Daniel Nestor, and Tsonga. The Manila Mavericks will play against the UAE Royals on Nov. 28.