Rafael Nadal To Play March Exhibition In New York’s Madison Square Garden

Written by: Staff on 4th September 2012

Rafael Nadal To Play March Exhibition In New York’s Madison Square Garden

epa03258088 Rafael Nadal of Spain returns to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their final match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 10 June 2012. EPA/YOAN VALAT |

While Rafael Nadal heals his knees, the Spaniard can look forward to a big-time payday next March, with the world number three set to receive a fee reported to be $1.5 million dollars for a few hours on court at the event to be held in New York City. Nadal has not played for two months since a knee injury led to his second-round Wimbledon defeat.

Reports from Bloomberg indicate that the king of clay will join in. thanks to the mega-fee on March 4 in along with Argentine Juan Del Potro. The women’s side will feature Serena Williams facing WTA No. 1 Victoria Azarenka.

Nadal could miss the rest of 2012 according to some Spanish media reports, with the former No. 1 losing ground in the rankings race to on-form rival Roger Federer, Serb Novak Djokovic and breakthrough hopeful Andy Murray, the Olympic champion.

All are thick in the title chase at the US Open while Nadal can only watch longingly from his home in Mallorca.

The March New York exho is the last stop as elite players travel west next spring to start the first Masters 1000 of the season at Indian Wells the next week.

Nadal’s reported fee is in the top level of such payouts, with only the wildly popular Federer among players who can command those kind of dollars for a one-night stand on court. Nadal has never played the New York event.

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