ABU DHABI: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer meet in a $250,000 three-day exhibition tournament in the Gulf’s winter sun from Thursday, eager to strike early blows ahead of the 2012 season.
In the new year, world number one Djokovic will defend three Grand Slam titles and Nadal will
look to hang on to his Olympic title and French Open crown, while Federer, despite nearing his 31st birthday, is keen to extend his impressive late run in 2011.
Djokovic won three of the four Grand Slams and five Masters this year and assembled a 70-6 winning record.
His progress towards the end of the year was slowed by a series of back and shoulder injuries, but the Serb insists he is well rested as 2012 approaches.
“This year’s success gives me a reason to believe that I can win again. Why not?” said the Serb, who has been based in Abu Dhabi for the last two weeks.
Nadal lost his world number one ranking to Djokovic in 2011 and cut a world-weary figure as the year came to an end, having played 84 matches — more than any of his rivals.
He is also determined to adopt a new approach to his trade.
“I tell myself: ‘If I do a bit more, I will be nearly back to winning things again.’ That is the motivation. Recovering the extra will that makes you give a bit more of yourself,” he said.
Federer, meanwhile, defied those who believe that having celebrated his 30th birthday in 2011, his best was behind him.
He will go into 2012, his 13th year on the tour, on the back of a 17-match winning run.
“My passion for competition and my love for tennis has a lot to do with it,” Federer told The National newspaper here.
The three-day tournament at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex in Zayed Sports City also features Spain’s David Ferrer and French duo Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils.
In the new year, world number one Djokovic will defend three Grand Slam titles and Nadal will
look to hang on to his Olympic title and French Open crown, while Federer, despite nearing his 31st birthday, is keen to extend his impressive late run in 2011.
Djokovic won three of the four Grand Slams and five Masters this year and assembled a 70-6 winning record.
His progress towards the end of the year was slowed by a series of back and shoulder injuries, but the Serb insists he is well rested as 2012 approaches.
“This year’s success gives me a reason to believe that I can win again. Why not?” said the Serb, who has been based in Abu Dhabi for the last two weeks.
Nadal lost his world number one ranking to Djokovic in 2011 and cut a world-weary figure as the year came to an end, having played 84 matches — more than any of his rivals.
He is also determined to adopt a new approach to his trade.
“I tell myself: ‘If I do a bit more, I will be nearly back to winning things again.’ That is the motivation. Recovering the extra will that makes you give a bit more of yourself,” he said.
Federer, meanwhile, defied those who believe that having celebrated his 30th birthday in 2011, his best was behind him.
He will go into 2012, his 13th year on the tour, on the back of a 17-match winning run.
“My passion for competition and my love for tennis has a lot to do with it,” Federer told The National newspaper here.
The three-day tournament at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex in Zayed Sports City also features Spain’s David Ferrer and French duo Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils.
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