Some Men Volunteer for a Break While Others are Forced to Take One

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 5th November 2010

Some Men Volunteer for a Break While Others are Forced to Take One

Rafael Nadal (ESP) |

Rafael Nadal is currently enjoying a couple of well earned weeks off before concluding 2010 at next week’s BNP Paribas Masters at Paris’ Bercy before attempting to complete his set of tennis main prizes at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at London’s 02 Arena.

However the world no.1 is already looking ahead to 2011 and beginning his campaign at the newly renamed Mubadala World Tennis Championships which begin at the recently upgraded Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City on December 31.

Nadal has been a fixture at the lucrative Abu Dhabi event since its inception three years ago and last year took the title under the event’s former Capitala title sponsorship, beating Sweden’s Robin Soderling in the final.

“The current season has been the best of my career so far and it all started with a victory in Abu Dhabi, so it holds great memories,” said reigning French Open, Wimbledon and U.S.Open champion Nadal who will then alongside great rival Roger Federer will move the short distance to Doha to begin his 2011 ATP World Tour schedule at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.

“The early season momentum gained in Abu Dhabi is good preparation for the Australian Open. Everything about Abu Dhabi and the tournament – from the weather, facilities and the atmosphere in the stadium, make it the ideal place to start my season.

“Having seen the strength of the field, I look forward to returning to defend my title in a fantastic city that loves tennis and is emerging as one of the world’s great sporting destinations.”

Federer again also figures in the initial entry along with French Open runner up Soderling, Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych and hopefully Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marcos Baghdatis although the pair have this week announced their 2010 seasons have been forced to end prematurely.

Tsonga is once experiencing knee problems while Baghdatis injured a shoulder at Vienna last week and both have pulled out of next week’s concluding Masters 1000 series event in Paris.

“I am very sorry that I will not be able to see my fans in Paris this year,” Baghdatis said on his personal website. “I injured my right shoulder in Vienna and have been advised to rest so as not to cause any further damage.”

The Cypriot who has resurrected his career after a spate of injuries and currently stands at 20th place on the men’s world rankings. “I am disappointed that the season has come to an early end, but I am very happy with my progress in 2010,” he concluded.

Topics: Atp World Tour, Australian Open, Bnp Paribas, Bnp Paribas Masters, Great Memories, International Tennis, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Knee Problems, Marcos Baghdatis, Open Champion, Paris Bercy, Rafael Nadal, Robin Soderling, Roger Federer, Sports City, Tennis Championships, Title Sponsorship, Tomas Berdych, Wimbledon Finalist, World Tennis