Federer, Nadal to start 2010 season in Abu Dhabi

Oct 13, 9:20 am EDT

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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal plan to open the 2010 season in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi.

Organizers said Tuesday that Federer and Nadal have committed to play in the three-day event starting Dec. 31. The tournament, which is not part of the ATP Tour, offers a winner-take-all prize of $250,000.

The event, organized by Abu Dhabi-based real-estate developer Capitala, features six players.

Britain’s Andy Murray won the inaugural event last year, beating Federer and Nadal.

Updated Oct 13, 9:20 am EDT
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17 Comments

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  1. pete'sbest14
    17. Posted by pete'sbest14 Thu Oct 15 10:10pm EDT

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    #16 topseedno1
    Hey there!
    I loved your post! Haven't had time (or inclination) to log on, but baby is sleeping so decided to see what the tennis "experts" are saying. I did read "Andre's" analysis regarding the end of he Roger-Rafa Era~I surely hope not~ That would be a huge loss to this wonderful sport, however having said that, this demanding sport may have claimed another casualty both Rafa as a player and the rivalry itself...
    One can argue about the length of the season, the schedules, the conditioning and the number of tournaments required..but one thing remains the same for all players, they are ONLY as good as their bodies ALLOW them to be~Just the difference in Rafa and Roger..the age, the approach, the surfaces each honed his skills on is totally different, same era, but these two men are totallly different and we may not be able to enjoy what we've been so spoiled watching these past few years...wouldn't that be sad? Regarding Andre's comments, wonder what Pete would say?
    So nice seeing your "name"..Hope you are well!!
    RG
  2. topseedno1
    16. Posted by topseedno1 Thu Oct 15 4:09am EDT

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    Had they (Nadal and Roddick) won in the last two tournaments and brought home the trophy,the title and the money- do you think they would have complained about the scheduling? Rafa, himself admitted he had been playing this schedule for the last five years- and it is only now that he realized it is very grueling and hectic schedule? After he had injuries? Yes, it is unfortunate that he is in this situation- but that was his choice- to play in all the tournaments to maintain his ranking. Whatever choice a player makes excludes other possibilities. Federer withdrew- reason-FATIGUE- He chose not to play in these two tournaments- he gave more importance to his health and his opportunities and possibilities to be able to play -in his best of health in the upcoming -end of the year Tennis Season.
  3. rogerfedererbest
    15. Posted by rogerfedererbest Wed Oct 14 10:29am EDT

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    Federer is already 28 years old. In ,Federer the heyday of wonderful Federeris 2004～2006.


    And, the quality of the play that had completely become in a slump due to the sickness and injury in 2008 fell into Federer, too.


    ..Federer.. now is really ..the reign over the king

    Roger Federer is an all-time best player.
  4. Jason
    14. Posted by Jason Wed Oct 14 10:16am EDT

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    this funny Nadal complains about length of season but will go out and play an exhibition, bravo Rafa you are now a DA!!
  5. Joy W
    13. Posted by Joy W Wed Oct 14 10:08am EDT

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    Renato, with the number of tournaments on the schedule it is impossible not to have them spread throughout the year. Both the ATP and WTA have actually added tournaments over the past few years, especially in Asia. The thing is the top men are required to play the four grand slams and 8 of the 9 Master Series tournament, that is 12 mandatory tournaments a year. The top women are ranked based on 16 tournaments a year. They are required to play the four grand slams, all of the Premier (old Tier 1) event and other selected Tier 2 and Tier 3 events. They do not have to play beyond these schedules but many choose to play to improve their rankings or earn more money. With the number of tournaments on the schedule, if most of the top players skipped the non-required events, it would give the lower ranked players an opportunity to win, improve their rankings and bring more depth to the tours. Of course, you know they have to have some big names in the draw or who would buy tickets to see a lot of players you do not know?
  6. victor joseph platon
    12. Posted by victor joseph platon Wed Oct 14 3:45am EDT

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    Why dont they just participate in selected of the ATP tournaments and take enuf rest in between...instead of trying to participate in all of them and risk injury and over exhaustion?
  7. PascalleD
    11. Posted by PascalleD Tue Oct 13 9:16pm EDT

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    that's their job - that' what they chose to do a long time ago and they knew what to expect right from the start - and yes it is very physically demanding but if you don't have the body for it, then stop playing - plain and simple...my 2 cents.
  8. Z
    10. Posted by Z Tue Oct 13 8:57pm EDT

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    completely hypocritical it seems. though i still agree the season is too long.
  9. Renato O
    9. Posted by Renato O Tue Oct 13 6:58pm EDT

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    I don'tt think the players are complaining about the number of matches, but rather on the scheduling. The tournaments are spread out through the year, not really giving the players something of a summer break. You know, there might not be a tournament playing one or two weeks but you'd still need to train and be in perfect condition as theres another big tournament scheduled right after the mini break. Unlike pro basketball wherein you have about 3 months free time before training camp, and you somehow don't need to be at your peak until before the play-offs. In pro-tennis, you'd have to ba at your peak the whole year round. Exhibition matches don't count as these are,,, exhibition matches, its easier to play hard for a game than having to do it consistently for 6 consecutive games.
  10. AM Q.
    8. Posted by AM Q. Tue Oct 13 2:44pm EDT

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    they will be playing on new year??
    come on... thats so boring!!
  11. Siew C
    7. Posted by Siew C Tue Oct 13 1:50pm EDT

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    Let's get rid of the Davis Cup.
  12. David B
    6. Posted by David B Tue Oct 13 1:40pm EDT

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    Can anyone ever have enough money? Winner take all? What about the appearance fees? I think that RF and Rafa will make plenty of dough just for showing up. Plus an exhibition is kind of like a vacaction. I am sure they will make the scores close like Sampras and RF did on their tour. This is really entertainment. One set for you, one set for me and the last set is up for grabs.
  13. arelene b
    5. Posted by arelene b Tue Oct 13 12:55pm EDT

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    I agree with both Grayson and sal c
    the players cannot have it both ways.
  14. Karen B.
    4. Posted by Karen B. Tue Oct 13 12:01pm EDT

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    This complaint rises every year around this time. It's not just about how many tourney's they play during the ATP and the WTA. It's the practice time, conditioning, travelling, practicing during the tourney on off days, etc, and if they play doubles, it's even more taxing on the body. Let's see, then there is the Davis/Fed Cup matches.

    Oh...and during the off season...well, they still have to condition, train, and hope their body can heal during that time.

    The season should be shorter.
  15. abah
    3. Posted by abah Tue Oct 13 11:00am EDT

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    Grayson,you don't get it,what Nadal is talking about is CHANGE!Now that change has to start from the officials at ATP.Pls give the young man a breathing space.
  16. Grayson
    2. Posted by Grayson Tue Oct 13 10:36am EDT

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    This is ridiculous. I agree with the earlier comment 100%. Towards the end of every year you have the top players complain about the length of the season and how the ATP needs to implement changes and how they don't have an off-season to rest and train like other athletes do. All good arguments and than you read a press release such as this and it makes you wonder why you should take their complaints seriously.

    Ironically, less than a week ago Rafa Nadal himself along with Andy Roddick made some strong complaints about the length of the season and a week later you see him playing an exhibition at the start of the year. I'm a Nadal fan but he "LOST" some major credibility with me. Clearly, he's able "to talk the talk" but when it comes to the power of the all mighty dollar, it's another story. If he wants to be taken seriously he needs to back-up all the talk otherwise all it is, is just a buch of talk.

    Guess when it comes down to money everything else really isn't that important!
  17. sal c
    1. Posted by sal c Tue Oct 13 10:21am EDT

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    Talk 'bout "long season" all you want....When money calls, they all answer.
    If the players are serious about changing the calendar, the exos have to go first.
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