World No.1 Andy Murray and 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal stopped traffic during a friendly hit on the Al Maryah Island Bridge in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday as they prepared for the start of the 2017 season. It marked a ceremonial start to the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, which officially gets underway on Thursday with a pair of quarterfinal matches.
The annual six-man event is taking place at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City from Thursday through Saturday. This year’s star-stunned lineup includes Murray, Nadal, world No.3 Milos Raonic, 10th-ranked Tomas Berdych, flamboyant Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and tournament rookie David Goffin.
“It’s always good to be in Abu Dhabi,” said Murray, the reigning Wimbledon champion who finished a year No. 1 in the world for the first time in his career by beating Novak Djokovic in the World Tour Finals championship match this fall. “I’ve been coming here for so many years and it works as a place to start into the season. I know I’m going to get the practice and matches I need. I worked so hard to get to world No. 1 and I’ve been training hard in Miami. But after a few days off at home for Christmas, I’m ready to play.”
“It’s good to be back,” Nadal noted. “I feel fit, healthy, and ready to go. I’ve got some good memories from winning in Abu Dhabi, so hopefully I can play well again and get some good match practice.”
Opening day will pit Nadal against Berdych and Tsonga against Goffin. Murray awaits either Tsonga or Goffin, while Raonic will face the winner of the Nadal-Berdych clash.
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who ya got?
Predicting exhos?
pfft
Tsonga and Rafa in three
I got nadal in 2 and Goffin in 3. And I’ll be live at both events
Breadsticks are everywhere
RT @PauFerragut: 1st Set #Nadal (6/0). Amazing start. First moving #Berdych from the baseline and then dominates him hitting hard the ball. Powerful FH again
Vamos!
Rafa saves a BP to stay on serve 2-2.
VAMOS!
Berdy making many UEs
Rafa sent a BH long to an open court that would have given him a BP.
Berdy holds for 3-2 instead.
Wow! Great hold at love for Rafa for 3-all.
Serving well and hitting deep.
Keep it up Rafa!
Berdy up 40-0 follows with a DF and 2 UEs for deuce.
A winner a piece and back to deuce.
Rinse, repeat and yet another deuce.
Berdy holds for 4-3. Sketchy play from Rafa.
Missed the first set but inconsistent play from both in the second.
Rafa at least hitting with more depth but some poor shot selection on critical points.
A second hold at love in a row for Rafa including a classic CCFH winner for 4-all.
Vamos!
Great play from rafa gives him two BPs.
Berdy saves the first for 30-40.
A look at a second serve and great reflex at the net gives Rafa the break and a chance to serve for the match at 5-4.
Rafa looks great given this his first match after such a long lay off.
Let’s see if he can shake his recent propensity for getting broken when serving for it.
Service winner 15-0
Winner for 30-0
CCBH winner for triple MP
And an ace to win at love!
Congrats Rafa!!!
Looking great for his first match!
AbuDhabi Friday OOP:
5.00pm (GMT+4) Murray vs Goffin followed by Rafa vs Milos