Nicolas Almagro – Not Roger Federer-To Replace Nadal In Abu Dhabi

Written by: Staff on 27th December 2012

Nicolas Almagro – Not Roger Federer-To Replace Nadal In Abu Dhabi

epa03476699 Nicolas Almagro of Spain in action against Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic during their match of the Davis Cup final between the Czech Republic and Spain in Prague, Czech Republic, 18 November 2012. EPA/FILIP SINGER |

Organizers for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship this coming weekend in Abu Dhabi approached Roger Federer to replace the ill Rafael Nadal in the exhibition but the Swiss turned down the invitation.

Spaniard Nicolas Almagro will replace Nadal.

Federer is currently in Dubai preparing for Australia and decided to skip Abu Dhabi for the first time since its inception in 2009.

“We spoke to a number of players for sure. And I will also say we spoke with Roger to come and play,” said Greg Sproule, the Managing Director of IMG Middle East, which runs the event. “Roger plans his schedule far in advance. He has just come off of a very intensive tour of South America and he’s training as he always does for the Australian Open. But that training has only just begun and he’s not ready to play.

Almagro will play the winner of the opening day match between Andy Murray and Janko Tipsarevic.

“He’s an excellent addition to an already extremely strong player field and we are pleased to have him joining us at the event, “said Sproule. “Outside of Grand Slams you would be hard pressed to find a draw with five of the top-10 players in the world.”

Reporters asked whether Nadal’s last-minute withdrawal had anything to do with rumors that the Spaniard has parted ways with IMG, but Sproule refused to comment on the speculation.

“If Rafa says his withdrawal is because of a virus, it’s because of a virus,” he said.

On the other half of the draw, David Ferrer will face Tomas Berdych with the winner advancing to meet No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Abu Dhabi, Mubadala World Tennis Championships, Nicolas Almagro, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News

Follow 10SBALLS.COM on:

Facebook:

Twitter:

dusanVemic says:

December 27, 2012 at 8:27 am

RT @10sBalls_com: Nicolas Almagro – Not #RogerFederer-To Replace @RafaelNadal In Abu Dhabi: http://t.co/TRpC2sK9