Roger Federer Not Invited To Play Abu Dhabi In December

Written by: Staff on 21st November 2012

Roger Federer Not Invited To Play Abu Dhabi In December

epa03468725 Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the singles final match at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, Britain, 12 November 2012. EPA/KERIM OKTEN |

Organizers at the Abu Dhabi exhibition have delivered a backhanded slap to Roger Federer, failing to invite the four-time participant back for the fifth edition of their event between Christmas and New Years.

The Swiss who has won more in the sport than anyone who ever played was given a miss, allegedly due to the fact that only “former champions” were on the guest list this year for the multi-million dollar hit-and-giggle from December 27-29.

Not that the money really matters much to Federer, the top earner in all of tennis.

“The principle reason is that we are celebrating past champions and Roger, unfortunately, hasn’t won the event,” said tournament official Greg Sproule. “The Championship adores Roger and we cherish that friendship very much, but we are sticking to the theme of past champions. That was a very definitive, clearly cut decision.”

Delving below the surface might yield another, more commercial, conclusion. Federer is no longer welcome at the event due to his split this year from IMG, which just happens to run the well-paid exo earner for players keen to pay for their Christmas shopping.

Sproul, who happens to be one of IMG’s top men in the region, added: “The celebration of champions and the youth of the ATP, which we have in spades here with arguably the six hottest young players in the game, was our aim from the outset. These guys have more Grand Slam victories ahead of them rather than behind them.”

Those on court in the Gulf will include Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and – reportedly – Rafael Nadal, who has not played in six month due to his knee injury.

Federer should not be particularly bothered with the Abu Dhabi snub after completing what promises to be a groundbreaking December exhibition tour of three South American countries where he has never set foot. No matter what the ticket price, those exhibitions in Brazil, Argentina and Colombia are guaranteed sellouts.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Abu Dhabi exhibition, Andy Murray, Federer, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News