5th of January

Rafa Nadal has won his first official match of the year after he and his friend Marc Lopez beat in straight sets (with a double 6-3) their first round doubles opponents. 

The Spanish duo overpowered Oscar Hernández and Albert Montañés (who are also from Spain) in an hour and one minute of play at the ExxonMobil tournament played in Doha, Qatar.

They are now due to play against the winner between Ross Hutchins and Andy Murray from England or Christopher Kas and Phillipp Kohlschreiber (4th favorites) from Germany.

SINGLES ACTION

Rafa will be playing against Fabrice Santoro from France in his opening singles match tomorrow Tuesday 6th of January. The match is scheduled second on center court, with the first match starting at 4:00pm (local time).

Vamos Rafa!

5th of January

Rafa Nadal arrived in Doha yesterday to play the ExxonMobil Qatar Open tournament. Once there he did a small press conference and then helped launch the 2009 ATP World Tour with a unique game of tennis aboard a traditional Arabian Dhow in Doha Bay.

You can read all about it when you click on the title of this article.

Rafa will be playing doubles at the tournament this afternoon with his friend Marc Lopez. 

They are expected to play third on Center Court againt another Spanish combo made up by Oscar Hernández and Albert Montañés. (The first match is schedulled to start at 4:00pm, local time)

You can check out the full doubles draw here!

Rafa's statement after arriving in Doha:

“You cannot consider it as a major blow. The loss against Murray shouldn’t affect my play here at all. As far as I’m concerned, I have played well but yes, Andy was better there. I would say that the Abu Dhabi tournament was more of a preparation tournament,” asserted Rafa, who meets Qatar Open 2000 champion Fabrice Santoro in his opening singles match.“I can’t say if I can start off the season from here on a high but certainly I’m very much looking forward to doing well. It is an important tournament for me and I have come here to play good tennis. You can be assured; I shall give it my best.”“I’ve spent lot of time working hard on my fitness. I’m raring to go out there with a win on my mind in every match. This season is bound to be absorbing and exhilarating. I’m game for it.”

It’s not always tennis talk when it comes to Rafa though. He also expressed his sadness at the spiralling conflicts across the globe. “More than my personal goals this season, I shall say I wish for world peace more than anything. There are lots of people out there who are suffering. There is so much unrest around, I wish there is an end to the people’s misery soon.”

WORLD TOUR SETS SAIL WITH HELP FROM NADAL & FEDERER

From http://www.qataropen.org

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer today helped launch the 2009 ATP World Tour in spectacular fashion with a unique game of tennis aboard a traditional Arabian Dhow in Doha Bay. On a specially designed onboard court floating in the Persian Gulf, the special match, between the world's two best players, also marked the start of the year long race to crown the official 2009 ATP World Tour Champion. Nadal and Federer are the top two seeds at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2009 will play in Doha from January 5-10. Nadal, world No. 1 and reigning ATP World Tour Champion said:“2008 was a fantastic year for me, winning so many big titles and becoming the ATP World Tour Champion.  It was an honor to replace Roger who for me is the best tennis player ever.  I will give everything again to try and win every match and give my best to improve my game in 2009.” The 2009 ATP World Tour features a number of changes designed to make the sport more fan friendly, including a new calendar schedule and three new tiers of ATP World Tour events: · ATP World Tour Masters 1000· ATP World Tour 500 · ATP World Tour 250

The new category names reflect the number of South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings points available to the tournament winner and at a stroke help fans better understand how tournaments relate to each other and to the 2009 ranking table.

Phil Anderton, ATP Chief Marketing Officer said:“Having the words two best players in Rafa and Roger help launch the new 2009 ATP World Tour in such spectacular fashion is very apt. Today's launch marks the start of an exciting new chapter in the ATP's history with a number of wide reaching and ambitious changes introduced to help build on our sport's undoubted global popularity. With 63 events in over 30 countries, the ATP World Tour is a truly global sporting event featuring some of the world's greatest and most popular athletes and this week's tournaments in Doha, Chennai and Brisbane are the first in what will be an exceptionally exciting season's race to become the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion.” Including this week's three season opening ATP World Tour 250 events in Doha, Chennai and Brisbane, the 2009 ATP World Tour will feature 63 tournaments in over 30 countries and will conclude in November at the new season's ending climax - the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. To be held for the first time in London's iconic O2 arena, the event will also feature, at its conclusion, a season ending awards ceremony where the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion will be officially crowned.

4th of January 

Despite his recent loss to Murray yesterday at the Abu Dhabi's Exhibition tournament, a healthy Rafa is feeling good about his game. "Today was a very good test for the knee," explained the Spaniard.

"It was two hour 45 minutes of high-quality, and I'm feeling very well. I made some mistakes today but I think that's to be expected after two months out. I think I'm playing well, I did a lot of running and I feel great."

Rafael Nadal will be fully tested in the first event of the new season after being drawn in the tougher half of the 32-man field at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, which commencestomorrow.

It's only a 250-point event (outside of the Grand Slams, tournaments in 2009 are either worth 250, 500, or 1000 points), meaning 250 ranking points will be awarded to the winner. 

Rafa will take on former Qatar Open champion Fabrice Santoro of France in their first-round clash and will be sharing the same half of the draw with Andy Roddick, who is seeded four at the season-opener, Mikhail Youznhy, Gael Monfils and Igor Andreev.

The time of play hasn't been released yet, however, you can check out the singles draw here. 

DOUBLES

Rafa will be playing doubles at the tournament as well, paring up with Spanish friend Marc Lopez. 

The doubles team are expected to play againt another Spanish combo made up by Oscar Hernández and Albert Montañés.

You can check out the full doubles draw here!

Vamos Rafa!!!

3rd of January, 2009

It wasn’t mean to be this time…

In what was considered and incredible final, where high quality tennis was the main attraction, Andy Murray beat Rafa in 3 long sets by 6-4, 5-7 y 6-3 after 2 hours and 45 minutes of play to win the first edition of the exhibition tournament played in Abu Dhabi. 

For Rafa, his participation in this competition served it’s purpose to help him get back into his usual rhythm after not playing any competitive matches for 2 months. Here, he had the great opportunity to play with some of today’s best tennis players, which will help him prepare for the first Grand Slam of the year at Australian Open.

Once the match finished, Rafa highlighted that Murray “had played at a very high level and if he keeps it up, he can even win the Australian Open”

He was also happy to have spent a few days in Abu Dhabi saying that he’d “had an incredible time here, it’s impossible for it to be any better”. Then he continued his assessment about the match. “I’m happy, even though It could have been better, but regardless of that it’s been a great test to prove where my level ls at right now”.

His next tournament will be in Doha where he will fly today and meet again with Roger Federer and Andy Murray.

Well done Rafa and congratulations to Andy!!

You can read a full point by point match report here!

3rd of January

Rafa Nadal will face Andy Murray in the final of the first World Tennis Championship after both men recorded semi-final victories in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates yesterday.

Great Britain's Murray battled from a set down to beat Roger Federer 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8), while Spanish world number one ‘Rafa’ Nadal saw off Nikolay Davydenko of Russia 6-2, 6-3.

Today’s final at Zayed’s Sports City in Abu Dhabi is scheduled to start at 5:00pm (local time) and will count with two of today’s biggest tennis stars who have played a total of 6 matches together. Rafa has won 5 of them, with the last one going Murray’s way.

"I have been working hard on my game lately even though I haven’t been playing competitive tennis for the past two months or so. I was delighted with the way I played today and am looking forward to the rest of the season."said the world No.1 straight after the match and before going up to Colombian PopStar Shakira to say hi to her in the stands.

It may be a “difficult match” for Rafa but he continues to be optimist  about the start of the season which will officially begin for him in Doha next week. 

2nd of January, 2009

Rafa Nadal has started the 2009 season with a great victory and a new 'look'. The spanish star jumped on court today wearing a new Nike polo shirt and short shorts that have replaced the iconic 'pirata' pants and sleeveless shirts.

The only thing that hasn't changed about Rafa in this new year is his game. Once again, he's come out with the goods, winning against Davydenko 6-2, 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Capitala World Tennis Championship, an exhibition shoot-out being played at the Zayed Sports City tennis stadium.

On his match against Davydenko, Rafa said: "I have been working hard on my game lately even though I haven’t been playing competitive tennis for the past two months or so. I was delighted with the way I played today and am looking forward to the rest of the season."Rafa also revealed his ambitions for 2009, saying: “The aim really is to be a better player than I was last year and to keep improving. Obviously, I like the position I am in right now and would like to keep it this way as long as possible.”

THE MATCH

Davydenko started in brilliant fashion by breaking Rafa in the first game without giving him any point. But the joy wasn't going to last for too long as Rafa regrouped within no time and completely dominated the Russian to take the first set 6-2. 

In the second set, Davydenko broke Rafa in the first game again, but the reigning French and Wimbledon champion broke right back. Another break in the sixth game and it was all over for Davydenko.

Rafa wll play against world No.4, Andy Murray in tomorrow's final after the Scotsman prevailed in three sets 4-6 6-2 7-6 (8-6) in his semifinal match against Roger Federer.

The winner of the Nadal-Murray final takes home the entire purse of $250,000 in the shoot-out tournament.

1st of January, 2009

Rafa Nadal couldn't celebrate the New Year with either his family nor his tennis player friends in Abu Dhabi .

"This year I will be spending it on a plane. Previously I had spent the night in India but since we are starting the season a bit later than usual, I will have to spend it on an airplane. Not to worry though, at least I'm bringing some grapes for the trip. I've got some here for me and my team and let's hope everything else goes fine". Said Rafa before boarding the aircraft. 

For those who don't know it is a tradition in Spain and South American countries to eat 12 grapes at midnight. Each of them represent a month in the new year and you have to make a wish as you eat every grape. 

BACK ON COURT

Big time tennis makes its debut in the UAE capital with this three–day event which features Rafa, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Nikolay Davydenko, Andy Roddick and James Blake.

American Andy Roddick, ranked eight in the world takes on world number five Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in one of the two matches slated for January 1.In the other match, fourth–ranked Britain's Andy Murray takes on another American James Blake, who ended the 2008 tennis season as World number 10.

 The winner of the first two matches will take on superstars Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer on January 2 and the winners of the second–day will meet in the final clash on January 3 for the $ 250,000 title prize.

The matches will be played at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City.

Peter Wilding, Deputy CEO at Capitala, said: "This event is a unique opportunity to watch some of the world's best tennis players compete in every match which is guaranteed to keep everyone enthralled from start to finish," said.

2nd of January, 2009

The 2009 season is just days away and six of the world's elite have gathered in the Middle East to fine-tune their games with a mouthwatering exhibition event. 

It's one of the strongest line-ups in recent years for an exhibition tournament where Rafa, Roger, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and Davydenko were present. However, one day of competition has already passed and 6 have become 4. 

Davydenko and Murray eased to commanding wins over the Americans with World No.5 Nikolay Davydenko packing off World No.8 Andy Roddick 6-4, 6-4, while World No.4 Andy Murray blasting World No.10 James Blake to submission with a 6-2, 6-2 scoreline at the ATP standard 5000-capacity Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at the Zayed Sports City on Thursday.

In today's semifinals Davydenko will run into World No.1 ‘Rafa’ Nadal, while Murray faces off with World No.2 Roger Federer.

Rafa and Davydenko have played in 5 occasions previously, with Rafa leading the Russian: 3 victories against 2. 

The surface is very similar to those used in Doha where most of these players will be competing next week in the opening ATP event of the year.

December 31st, 20008

Rafa will begin his preparation to the 2009 season on the 1st of January at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi’s International Tennis Complex in Zayed Sports City.

He will be on his way to UAE today and will be celebrating the New Year in company of Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, James Blake, Andy Murray, and Nikolay Davydenko, who will be playing the tournament till the 3rd of January

Rafa will be back on court to play on Friday against the winner between Andy Roddick and Nicolay Davydenko.

FOR THE FANS, FROM THE FANS

The following is a video put together by the fantastic fans from RN.com who spent a great deal of time making this spectacular recollection of pictures that represent each and every one of the special moments that have made of this season so unforgettable.

They also wanted to thank Rafa for bringing them so much happiness and wanted to wish him all the best for 2009. 

In Rafa's behalf, we want to thank each of you for the beautiful gesture and we'd like to wish you all the best for the New Year. 

From Rafa and the team at RN.com!

29th of December, 2008

Suitcase, check.

Racquets and new Nike gear, check.

Airplane ticket to Abu Dhabi, check.

Rafa is all set to tackle 2009 in his best form yet. The world No.1 tennis player in the world is spending as much time as possible with his family and friends before boarding a plane that will take him to Abu Dhabi’s International Tennis Complex in Zayed Sports City.

It will be the start of a journey that will hopefully continue to bring more success and happiness to our champ.

He will be spending New Year’s Eve with Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Nikolay Davydenko, Andy Murray and James Blake in UAE, where he will be playing from the 1st to the 3rd of January an exhibition tournament.

He will use this event as part of his preparation for his first tournament of the season, which officially starts in Doha. He will then make his way to the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne, Australia, where Rafa hopes he will make a great start to 2009.

Vamos Rafa!!