Rafael Nadal - Third Place in Abu Dhabi

So 2011 wraps up for Rafa with a straight set win over Roger, 6-1 7-5.

I missed the start of the match but from what I saw in the first set Rafa was looking rather good, Roger less so.  The second set was certainly more of a contest but Rafa managed to hold on for the win.

One point made during the commentary from Sky Sports was Rafa's racquet.  Here is a quote from Sport360.com:

Nadal fine-tunes his game ahead of the first Slam of the season Down Under he has revealed he has made a small adjustment to his racquet for the new season, adding slighly extra weight at the top, in a bid to generate more power.

While the 10-time Grand Slam winner was quick to stress the minor amendment was not a knee-kerk reaction to his batterings at the hands of Djokovic in 2011, he did concede that the change could help him in readdressing the balance of power in the men's game.

“It’s a change that I consider will help me in the future but not immediately," said Nadal in the UAE capital.

"Every change at the beginning is something new, and you go a little bit down before you go up.

“We are trying to have a little bit more power with the racquet. Trying to find a little bit more winners. We believe that can help but when you are able just to practice for five, six days, that’s not enough."

It will be interested to see how the racquet plays in a competitive match.  Another comment Rafa gave in the post match on court interview was that next week in Doha it will be "practice".  Seems a sensible decision as the main aim is Melbourne.

A few photos from today:

Rafael Nadal - No Title Defense

I did not see the match but relied on reports from my friends.

What the **** was happening.  0-5 in the first set.  0-4 in the second set.

Oh Rafa :-(  The positive sides were that no sign of the shoulder problems was mentioned and he has avoided finishing the year with a match against Novak.  I was joking that was the reason for the defeat.  He saw how Nole battered Roger and thought "nah, no more of that for me thank you very much".

So he will play Roger tomorrow at 11am UK time for the 3rd place spot.  I hope this match is better than the one at the O2 recently.

Some match highlights:



Courtesy: bojansvitac

Photos:

Rafael Nadal - Plays In Abu Dhabi

After all the debate regarding his shoulder it looks like Rafa will be playing the exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi.

The draw has been made and he is due to play the winner of Ferrer v Tsonga which will be the first match played tomorrow, 15.00 local time, 11.00 UK time.  The other Round Robin match will be between Djokovic & Monfils.  The winner of that match will play Federer.

Full tournament details are here

So I guess all we can do now is sit back and see what happens here and next week in Doha.  I believe 2012 is going to be vital for Rafa.  He needs to be picking up the winner trophy a lot more and on surfaces other than clay.  No matter what happens it is sure to be another roller coaster ride so strap yourselves in tight!

Enjoy :)

Rafael Nadal & the goldfish bowl

Here is Rafa with his trophy for winning the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Series.  Reminds me of a goldfish bowl, lol!!

Rafael Nadal - Abu Dhabi Final photos

Here are a few photos from todays win against Roger and the first (hopefully of many) trophies in 2011.

Rafael Nadal - Berdych Press Conference

Courtesy: meko1686

Rafael Nadal v Tomas Berdych - Video highlights

Highlights of the match. Look right at the end, shirtless Rafa.



Courtesy: vamosrafelnadal

Rafael Nadal v Tomas Berdych

Rafa has made it to the final of the exhibition series in Abu Dhabi. He beat World # 6 Tomas Berdych 6-4 6-4 and will play Roger in tomorrows final.

Here are a few photos from todays match.

Rafael Nadal - Abu Dhabi tennis clinic & press conference video

Courtesy: meko1686 via Rafaholics

Rafael Nadal - Abu Dhabi interview

Courtesy: gulfnews 

World number one Rafael Nadal who is on the brink of completing a Grand Slam if he wins the Australian Open in three weeks' time termed 2010 as the most fantastic year of his career so far.

After rival Roger Federer won the Australian Open early this year, Nadal won the remaining three Grand Slam events — French Open, Wimbledon and US Open — and starts another year with the Abu Dhabi event.
Speaking to reporters Nadal said: "For me 2010 generally was the most fantastic year. I am going to have a lot of memories of the year".

The Spaniard said it was also a huge year emotionally after coming back from injuries. "The year was really an emotional year for me. It was not easy for me in 2009. Lot of problems… injuries. But during the year I came back and played the best tennis of my life and was fantastic to come back at the highest level and become a better player. It was unbelievable for me," he said.

Commenting on the prospect of winning in Australia to complete a Grand Slam, Nadal said: "For sure it's a special thing. For me it's an important one for sure.

"That's what is I'm going to try. Grand Slams are special tournaments but to win a tournament in Australia is great. One game at a time.

"I will arrive there to play my best tennis and best players of the world play there. The first round is going to be very. very difficult. Four (Grand Slam events) in a row and to win have the special motivation to play in all the Grand Slam events".

Nadal, who was beaten twice in the year-ending Masters event in London by Federer, said he had been trying to improve and add to his game.

"Everybody have to do it in general because improving your game… that's motivation.

"I have worked a lot on the slice shot and my positioning on court.

"Also on my backhand, my serve but the main thing is I have to win more matches.

"I have to gain confidence and this is important to win matches.

"It does not matter if you are a better player than before but if you player better on the important tournaments it is great.

"My second serve, I need to keep improving though that is not the worst thing of my game," said Nadal as he sets out to register a Grand Slam.

Nadal said winning here in Abu Dhabi at the start of the year boosted his confidence.

"This is the perfect place to start the season and if you play well against the best players its important thing for your confidence for the season ahead. This tournament does not affect the Roland Garros, Wimbledon or US Open for sure. But if you start playing well here it can affect a little bit on the next tournament in Doha and maybe in Australia," he said adding that his experience in Abu Dhabi over the past has been great.

Rafael Nadal - Abu Dhabi tennis clinic

A few photos from the tennis clinic Rafa held today in Abu Dhabi

Rafael Nadal - Abu Dhabi photos

Press conference photos from Abu Dhabi

Rafael Nadal leaving for Abu Dhabi

Short video footage of Rafa at the airport on his way to Abu Dhabi.



Courtesy: gandaines

Abu Dhabi - Mubadala World Tennis Championship

The Mubadala World Tennis Championship is one of the region’s most eagerly anticipated sporting events which will bring six of the world’s top tennis players to the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex in Zayed Sports City for three days of thrilling action to entertain the entire family over the new year.

The Players

The global tennis season starts here with true legends of the game competing for top honours and USD $250,000 prize money that includes current World #1 and defending champion Rafael Nadal along with 16-time grand slam winner and World #2 Roger Federer, as well as last year’s finalist Robin Soderling, the excitable Jo-Wilfried Tsonga from France, fast charging Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic and rounded out with Cyprus’ Marcos Baghdatis.

Alongside the stars competing this year at the three day event, the Mubadala World Tennis Championship will feature a multitude of other attractions including a unique spectator village full of interactive components and family-friendly areas to engage and entertain visitors.

Through community engagement programs like the Mubadala Community Cup and the Mubadala Tennis In Schools Program, the event is quickly positioning itself as an event ‘where something is always happening’ on the UAE event calendar as it works to raise awareness of the benefits of tennis and the importance of living an active healthy lifestyle, whilst leaving a legacy for the community beyond the tournament.

The Format

Six of the world’s top men’s players will compete in a single elimination series of matches with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer being granted the top two seeds and therefore being given a bye from Thursday’s first day matches (30th December 2010). Semi-Final matches will take place on day 2 with the final and consolation (3rd & 4th place) matches taking place on Saturday 1st January 2011.

The Venue

Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex
at Zayed Sports City

The draw for Abu Dhabi

Here is the line-up for Abu Dhabi

Marcos Baghdatis will play Tomas Berdych & Robin Soderling will play Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.

Rafa will then play the winner of Baghdatis & Berdych & Roger will play either Soderling or Tsonga.  The winners of these 2 matches plays in the final.

Rafa in Abu Dhabi

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal and No. 2 Roger Federer are headed back to Abu Dhabi.

Organizers of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship say Nadal and Federer will compete at the tournament scheduled to run over New Year's. 

Robin Soderling, Tomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marcos Baghdatis are also in the lineup. 

Nadal won his first title of 2010 in Abu Dhabi. He says the Emirati capital "holds great memories" for him and provides good preparation heading into the Australian Open. 

The tournament runs from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1. 

Courtesy: CBC Sports