Nadal return announced.

Paul Murphy · Oct 2, 2012

Rafael Nadal is set to make his long-awaited return to tennis at an Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament in December.
Organisers of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship said on Tuesday in a statement that Nadal is set to join a field including Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and David Ferrer.
The tournament runs from Dec. 27-29.
Nadal hasn't played since losing in the second round of Wimbledon in June. He is recovering from a partially torn patella tendon in his left knee.
Nadal said last month he had no timetable for his return and the 11-time Grand Slam champion hopes to play in the Australian Open in January.

AAP.

I wonder is he really coming back then or are the oganisers engaging in some wishful thinking?
We shall see.

Deleted member 21996 · Oct 2, 2012

Go Nads...

such a fighter... what a hero!!!

vive le beau jeu ! · Oct 2, 2012

Gorecki said:
Go Nads...

such a fighter... what a hero!!!

does it guarantee the nadal won't play until the end of the season ?

Alchemy-Z · Oct 2, 2012

Glad to hear!

AnotherTennisProdigy · Oct 2, 2012

I hope he isn't risking his knees just for the sake of money. If his knees are good to go, fine, but if they aren't then he should start thinking long term.

cc0509 · Oct 2, 2012

AnotherTennisProdigy said:
I hope he isn't risking his knees just for the sake of money. If his knees are good to go, fine, but if they aren't then he should start thinking long term.

LOL! :lol:

CMM · Oct 2, 2012

AnotherTennisProdigy said:
I hope he isn't risking his knees just for the sake of money. If his knees are good to go, fine, but if they aren't then he should start thinking long term.

He plays there almost every year and it's not just for the money. If he plays at the AO then he obviously needs match practice. I'm not even sure Abu Dhabi and Doha would be enough.

Hankenstein · Oct 2, 2012

Nadal said he will play more clay and not as much on hardcourt in the future because of knee problems. He also complains high and loud the pros "are forced" to play to much.

Then he sets his return in an EXHIBITION EVENT! On hard,,,,

Money rules Rafa, Money rules...

CMM · Oct 2, 2012

Hankenstein said:
Nadal said he will play more clay and not as much on hardcourt in the future because of knee problems. He also complains high and loud the pros "are forced" to play to much.

Then he sets his return in an EXHIBITION EVENT! On hard,,,,

Money rules Rafa, Money rules...

He said he'd like to play more on clay but also that he doesn't have too many options. 2 of the 4 Grand Slams are played on hard court. Do you expect him to show up at the AO without having played any matches on that surface? That wouldn't be such a smart idea.

The Bawss · Oct 2, 2012

CMM said:
He said he'd like to play more on clay but also that he doesn't have too many options. 2 of the 4 Grand Slams are played on hard court. Do you expect him to show up at the AO without having played any matches on that surface? That wouldn't be such a smart idea.

Why not return at Doha or Brisbane then?

RAFA2005RG · Oct 2, 2012

vive le beau jeu ! said:
does it guarantee the nadal won't play until the end of the season ?

Won't know until the Davis Cup captain decides.

RAFA2005RG · Oct 2, 2012

AnotherTennisProdigy said:
I hope he isn't risking his knees just for the sake of money. If his knees are good to go, fine, but if they aren't then he should start thinking long term.

The biggest risk Rafa could take is playing the AO without match practice.

above bored · Oct 2, 2012

Paul Murphy said:
Rafael Nadal is set to make his long-awaited return to tennis at an Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament in December.
Organisers of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship said on Tuesday in a statement that Nadal is set to join a field including Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and David Ferrer.
The tournament runs from Dec. 27-29.
Nadal hasn't played since losing in the second round of Wimbledon in June. He is recovering from a partially torn patella tendon in his left knee.
Nadal said last month he had no timetable for his return and the 11-time Grand Slam champion hopes to play in the Australian Open in January.

AAP.

I wonder is he really coming back then or are the oganisers engaging in some wishful thinking?
We shall see.

I expect Nadal will return to play sometime this year. Your quote is only confirmation from the exo that he intends to play their event in January, not that this is necessarily going to be his first tournament back.

zam88 · Oct 2, 2012

Hankenstein said:
Nadal said he will play more clay and not as much on hardcourt in the future because of knee problems. He also complains high and loud the pros "are forced" to play to much.

Then he sets his return in an EXHIBITION EVENT! On hard,,,,

Money rules Rafa, Money rules...

i agree this seems strange.

If Rafa were REALLY serious about keeping his tennis career going as long as possible, he'd play the entire clay season, Wimbledon, one of the masters before the USO, the USO.. and then skip the entire fall season and skip the AO and the hard court spring.

pay the fines.. whatever... 10-12 tournaments a year tops... ranking be damned.

I think if he did that he could win 3-4 more French Opens, one Wimbledon, and stay in the top 5-6

kishnabe · Oct 2, 2012

That good to hear....that Aussie isn't his first even back....he needs the match tough prep than the hard court prep.

Mike Sams · Oct 2, 2012

Nadal is doing what he has to do. I'm not going to say anything negative on the matter as I already firmly believe the ATP is stealing money from the players as it is so Nadal and others should play these big exhibitions when given the opportunity. The money won't be so big once they've retired anyway.

sureshs · Oct 2, 2012

Personal email from Rafa

Hello tennis Fans, please have the pleasure of me today.

I am announcing that my return is coming. After resigning from tennis for few months due to giving Roger a chance at brass medal and Murray for the New York Slam, I am backing into play at the place somewhere in the Middle Eastern state in the championship name starting with M I think. After performing in the matches, I will talk to Toni uncle about whether to win Australian Open or to be injured and giving chances to the other players like Del Potros.

Please be seeing me in the middle Eastern states in december.

-- Dear Rafa

Russeljones · Oct 2, 2012

I hope he is really making his return. Cheers to all Nadal fans.

tudwell · Oct 2, 2012

It'll be interesting to see if this return date is changed as we get closer to the event.

*Sparkle* · Oct 2, 2012

The Bawss said:
Why not return at Doha or Brisbane then?

If it was an exhibition just after this year's season, the cynics would have a point, but this one is on the lead in to next year's tournaments, so a bit of practice against some big players is no bad thing. It's a short tournament, and no-one is going to be bothered if he takes it easy.

RAFA2005RG · Oct 2, 2012

I think Rafa has traditionally played Abu Dhabi and Doha. Never Brisbane.

RF20Lennon · Oct 2, 2012

RAFA2005RG said:
I think Rafa has traditionally played Abu Dhabi and Doha. Never Brisbane.

Yeah he played chennai once in 2008 but never Brisbane

Crisstti · Oct 2, 2012

zam88 said:
i agree this seems strange.

If Rafa were REALLY serious about keeping his tennis career going as long as possible, he'd play the entire clay season, Wimbledon, one of the masters before the USO, the USO.. and then skip the entire fall season and skip the AO and the hard court spring.

pay the fines.. whatever... 10-12 tournaments a year tops... ranking be damned.

I think if he did that he could win 3-4 more French Opens, one Wimbledon, and stay in the top 5-6

He could also play the AO and skip IW and Miami. I guess it will depend on what state he comes back in. But he needs to ease his season before RG and Wimbledon. Being fine then needs to be his priority I think.

Mike Sams · Oct 2, 2012

sureshs said:
Hello tennis Fans, please have the pleasure of me today.

I am announcing that my return is coming. After resigning from tennis for few months due to giving Roger a chance at brass medal and Murray for the New York Slam, I am backing into play at the place somewhere in the Middle Eastern state in the championship name starting with M I think. After performing in the matches, I will talk to Toni uncle about whether to win Australian Open or to be injured and giving chances to the other players like Del Potros.

Please be seeing me in the middle Eastern states in december.

-- Dear Rafa

Uhm...you do realize that Nadal wasn't the defending champion in New York or Wimbledon right? Djokovic was after he smashed Rafa in both. :lol: Djokovic would've taken Rafa out on any non-clay surface.

zagor · Oct 2, 2012

Hankenstein said:
Nadal said he will play more clay and not as much on hardcourt in the future because of knee problems. He also complains high and loud the pros "are forced" to play to much.

Then he sets his return in an EXHIBITION EVENT! On hard,,,,

Money rules Rafa, Money rules...

zam88 said:
i agree this seems strange.

If Rafa were REALLY serious about keeping his tennis career going as long as possible, he'd play the entire clay season, Wimbledon, one of the masters before the USO, the USO.. and then skip the entire fall season and skip the AO and the hard court spring.

pay the fines.. whatever... 10-12 tournaments a year tops... ranking be damned.

I think if he did that he could win 3-4 more French Opens, one Wimbledon, and stay in the top 5-6

It's not an exo in the middle of the season or something, players have used Abu Dhabi as a warm up tourney for AO for years.

fps · Oct 2, 2012

Ouch that sounds horrendous. So glad he's coming back, hope he's healthy.

Clarky21 · Oct 2, 2012

Hankenstein said:
Nadal said he will play more clay and not as much on hardcourt in the future because of knee problems. He also complains high and loud the pros "are forced" to play to much.

Then he sets his return in an EXHIBITION EVENT! On hard,,,,

Money rules Rafa, Money rules...

Yep. Like I said already,Nadal could be lying on his death bed,but if there is a needless exo event worth $$$$ to be played,he would do it. Lol. It's frustrating for his fans and hypocritical of him to constantly b*tch and moan about hardcourts,yet he never misses a chance to play multiple exo$ on them. I'm not sure what this guy is thinking half the time.

Matt H. · Oct 2, 2012

interesting.

he returns 6 months, to the day, of when he last played a match.

more fuel for the silent ban camp.

The Bawss · Oct 2, 2012

Matt H. said:
interesting.

he returns 6 months, to the day, of when he last played a match.

more fuel for the silent ban camp.

I think that, as exhos aren't sanctioned by the ATP, such a ban would not include exhibition matches. I still like the silent ban theory though.

jrs · Oct 2, 2012

Is Nadal practising now? or is he not playing tennis at all?

The Dark Knight · Oct 2, 2012

jrs said:
Is Nadal practising now? or is he not playing tennis at all?

From what I heard he is not playing at all.

Mike Sams · Oct 2, 2012

If Nadal was caught for taking drugs, why is he not stripped of all of his titles by the ATP? Why only a silent ban? And why did he suddenly decide not to play the Olympics at the exact time when news came out that Olympics officials had introduces a new and far more rigorous drug detection system?

Mike Sams · Oct 2, 2012

I wonder if Nadal being a cheater will come out many years later when he's long retired. Basically winning all his titles because he was doping. A lot of people were wondering why Nadal always had more energy left in the tank than other players so the doping issue is a plausible one. It's not like his workout routine was any more rigorous than any other player's. He basically did the bare minimum in training and ate a rather poor diet of chocolate chip cookies and other junk. So why did he have more stamina than other well conditioned players?

Crisstti · Oct 2, 2012

The Bawss said:
I think that, as exhos aren't sanctioned by the ATP, such a ban would not include exhibition matches. I still like the silent ban theory though.

Of course you do :roll:

Mike Sams said:
If Nadal was caught for taking drugs, why is he not stripped of all of his titles by the ATP? Why only a silent ban? And why did he suddenly decide not to play the Olympics at the exact time when news came out that Olympics officials had introduces a new and far more rigorous drug detection system?

Because he was NOT caught taking drugs.

forzamilan90 · Oct 2, 2012

Ok good, at least we have a timeline now of when he'll show up

SoBad · Oct 2, 2012

This is wonderful news. Now we can all look forward to the return of Great Nadal.

Mike Sams · Oct 2, 2012

Crisstti said:
Of course you do :roll:

Because he was NOT caught taking drugs.

So then what is this talk of a silent ban? And why is it basically 6 months to the day?

Rocky89 · Oct 2, 2012

Clarky21 said:
Yep. Like I said already,Nadal could be lying on his death bed,but if there is a needless exo event worth $$$$ to be played,he would do it. Lol. It's frustrating for his fans and hypocritical of him to constantly b*tch and moan about hardcourts,yet he never misses a chance to play multiple exo$ on them. I'm not sure what this guy is thinking half the time.

How do you expect him to get ready for the AO without match practice? Nadal is a player that relies heavily on match play to improve. Most players use Abu Dhabi and Doha to prepare. Also an exhibition will be a better way to ease back into competition.

I don't see what the big deal is. I'm happy we have a planned return date, but Nadal hasn't even started practicing yet so not sure how this timeline will play out.

Rjtennis · Oct 2, 2012

He is signed up to play according to the tourney, doesn't mean he will play for sure. We will have to wait and see when he returns.

Tony48 · Oct 2, 2012

An exho on hard? Seriously?

RAFA2005RG · Oct 2, 2012

^ You think Rafa should prepare for the AO by playing on clay? Seriously?

Tony48 · Oct 2, 2012

RAFA2005RG said:
^ You think Rafa should prepare for the AO by playing on clay? Seriously?

Is he playing Doha?

Crisstti · Oct 2, 2012

Mike Sams said:
So then what is this talk of a silent ban? And why is it basically 6 months to the day?

This talk is resentful Federer fans not being able to accept reality, or just spreading bs.

And we don't know how long it will take. And any kind of ATP ban wouldn't affect an exo, so it's irrelevant.

Clarky21 · Oct 2, 2012

Rocky89 said:
How do you expect him to get ready for the AO without match practice? Nadal is a player that relies heavily on match play to improve. Most players use Abu Dhabi and Doha to prepare. Also an exhibition will be a better way to ease back into competition.

I don't see what the big deal is. I'm happy we have a planned return date, but Nadal hasn't even started practicing yet so not sure how this timeline will play out.

Didn't he just say that he intends to play less on hardcourts to prolong his career? Doesn't he constantly complain about there being too many hardcourts on tour? Doesn't he mostly blame his injury woes on being forced to play too much on hardcourts?

It makes no sense for him to be playing exo$ anywhere,much less on hardcourts. It's annoying and hypocritical to complain as much as he does about hardcourts but then turn right around and play multiple exo$ on the very surface he constantly demonizes,and blames for all of his troubles. You don't see how ridiculous this is for him?

RAFA2005RG · Oct 2, 2012

Tony48 said:
Is he playing Doha?

He plays Abu Dhabi and Doha every year. Probably (but Doha not official yet). Abu Dhabi makes sense especially because its December 27 and is quick, so nice and early so he won't have to cram in the match practice too late.

Rafa has previously played doubles and singles at Doha (and won the doubles).

RF20Lennon · Oct 2, 2012

LOL Nadal will play on a bed of nails if you paid him good bucks

RAFA2005RG · Oct 2, 2012

RF20Lennon said:
LOL Nadal will play on a bed of nails if you paid him good bucks

Well, he has hasn't played anything since Wimbledon, so....

RF20Lennon · Oct 2, 2012

RAFA2005RG said:
Well, he has hasn't played anything since Wimbledon, so....

none of the tourneys included loads of $$$ for participating and a bed of nails :twisted:

Sentinel · Oct 2, 2012

Mike Sams said:
I wonder if Nadal being a cheater will come out many years later when he's long retired. Basically winning all his titles because he was doping. A lot of people were wondering why Nadal always had more energy left in the tank than other players so the doping issue is a plausible one. It's not like his workout routine was any more rigorous than any other player's. He basically did the bare minimum in training and ate a rather poor diet of chocolate chip cookies and other junk. So why did he have more stamina than other well conditioned players?

Nadal doesn't eat junk, he eats Quely biscuits, pasta and fish. He's currently swimming an hour every day, so you can imagine what kind of conditioning he did when he was well.

Sentinel · Oct 2, 2012

RF20Lennon said:
LOL Nadal will play on a bed of nails if you paid him good bucks

But would he play on blue clay given big bux ?

Nadal return announced.

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