The field and draw for the annual Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi was announced earlier this week. Not surprisingly, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are the marquee attractions.
Nos. 1 and 2 on the ATP Tour will be joined by an impressive quartet consisting of David Ferrer, Andy Murray, Stanislas Wawrinka, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Of the six, only Tsonga failed to qualify for the recently-completed World Tour Finals in London. Murray also missed the year-end championship due to his recovery from back surgery.
Nadal and Djokovic are on opposite sides of the bracket and have byes to the semifinals. Ferrer will face Wawrinka for the right to meet Nadal; Murray and Tsonga will square off with the winner to go up against Djokovic.
“This season has been one of my greatest achievements; coming back from injury to win two Grand Slams, regaining the world No. 1 spot, and finishing the season there has been incredible,” Nadal noted. “Now it’s time to relax and prepare for the new season. I love playing in Abu Dhabi as it gives me the chance to test myself again after the offseason. I’ve won there twice and I am definitely hoping to make it lucky number three this year.”
Play is set for December 26-28 at Zayed Sports City’s International Tennis Complex.
I hope Rafa uses this as an opportunity to “warm up” and try some new tactics and does not go all out to win……
#SaveThatForAO
I SHALL BE THERE! I’ll get Rafa to sign his autobiography for me. I was there last year and was so disappointed that Rafa couldn’t make it. Keeping my fingers crossed that he will make it this year.
Can’t wait!
^^You lucky devil you…………..
Well last year he couldn’t make it because he was continuing his rehab. Can’t see why he would skip it this year. This would be a good opportunity for him to start warming up for a successful AO campaign. The noises coming from Uncle T and Rafa seem to indicate they are gunning for AO 2014 big time!
Vamos!
How wonderful for you, Nadline, that you’ll be there. You’ll have to give us some first hand observations.
Hope he makes it nadline! No reason why he wouldn’t.
#ThumbsUP
Reblogged this on Tennis Abides.
Will be a good opportunity for every palyer to try out some new strategies.
and mainly for Murray to get back into the swing of things
Hopefully…..Hooray!
Dont worry Ricky, Muzz will defend his Wimby title for sure, even if he doesnt win any other slam.
What makes you so confident Abhi on Muzza Wimby?
@abhirf
I don’t think Andy will be ready for the AO TBH. Although he has an excellent record there and has declared winning to be one of his goals.
But Wimbledon? YAY bring it on!
Hey @deucy, I see you are “having fun” over at DementedMax Roger-x blog! What a bunch of sickos………..
Thank God for Ricky and Tenngrand (the successor to TT!).
Vamos Ricky!
@RITB
Lol. Does she not realise that we all remember the havoc she tried to wreak on TT? Does she think we have short term memory loss?
Only really go there to chat to the DA, a lovely Murray fan and a couple of other nice folk….oh and stick up for Andy of course.
Am loving tenngrand too. Very easy to negotiate and good write ups. Have u tried tennisabides? I haven’t yet but I really like Dan, such a gentle man..
Yes, have wandered off and found myself at tennisabides a couple of times but must say, Tenngrand has my heart……………for now!
Oh alright, now I understand why that character is always carping on about TT, she was one of the trojans who infected the site……………..
Now she is on a mission to rid Roger-x blog of all Rafans and Muzzans. But let’s be honest, that is what the moderators on that site want.