Rafael Nadal Training So As To Play Abu Dhabi

Written by: Staff on 7th December 2012

Rafael Nadal Training So As To Play Abu Dhabi

epa03279588 Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during a training session for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 24 June 2012. EPA/JONATHAN BRADY |

While the Rafael Nadal camp has tried to clear up the exact intentions of their man regarding his proposed tennis comeback from six months of knee injury absence, organizers of the December 27-29 Abu Dhabi exhibition are just hoping that the Spaniard can make his date with them as promised.

Nadal sparked confusion when he was unable to exactly specify what events he might play when he does return to tennis after his medical problems which have dropped him to fourth in the world and cast a shadow over his career.

Even if he does front up as expected in the Gulf and then plays the Australian Open, the 26-year-old has voiced little if any hope of performing up to his own high expectations. Nadal tried to clarify his program, saying he hoped to play as early at the Abu Dhabi event.

That is good enough for nervous organizers of the highly-paid exhibition which also features Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

“I personally didn’t find what he said alarming,” Abu Dhabi event director Vickie Gunnarson told the Sport360 website. “Putting his fitness first is natural when you think how long he’s been away from the game. But there is no doubt he has all the intentions to play in Abu Dhabi.”

“I was back and forth with Rafa’s camp (this week) and we continue to get regular updates from his camp.

Rafa’s goal is to play Abu Dhabi and that is what he is working towards. He is training really, really hard and he’s getting stronger. So it’s looking good.”

The event is hedging its bets though, with other players on call if Nadal makes a late pullout. “We don’t have a cut off point as such. We’re 100 per cent focused on Nadal coming here. Of course, we are professional enough that should that happen (Nadal withdrawing), then we definitely know other options to call,” said Gunnarsson.

“But that’s not even an option we are considering at the moment and our focus and commitment lies with Rafa.”

Some of the competitors are due to spend Christmas in the Gulf, with others arriving in the region on Boxing Day with one day to spare before the start. Murray will be playing the tournament for the first time since winning the inaugural edition in 2009. The field also includes Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer and Janko Tipsarevic.

©Daily Tennis News

Topics: Abu Dhabi, Rafael Nadal, Spanish tennis news, tenis injury, Tennis News