Federer to kick off 2010 season on New Year’s Eve
Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:51
His 2009 season may have ended just ten days ago, but world No.1 Roger Federer isn’t hanging around to get stuck into 2010.
The 15-time Grand Slam champion will bid to get his year off to the perfect start with a return to Abu Dhabi for the Capitala World Tennis Championship – which starts on December 31, 2009.
Federer, who lost in the semi-finals of the exhibition event last year to eventual champion Andy Murray, will join world No.2 Rafael Nadal, ATP World Tour Finals champion Nikolay Davydenko, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Robin Soderling and Stanislas Wawrinka in the impressive line-up.
“I would truly love to go a step further this time round and win the title”
“I loved playing in Abu Dhabi last year for the first time and I was really disappointed to have lost in the semi-finals,” said Federer. “The atmosphere in the stadium and the overall response and support from the public was wonderful and I would truly love to go a step further this time round and win the title.”
The Swiss maestro, who will arrive in the Emirate just days after celebrating his first Christmas with twin daughters Charlene Riva and Myla Rose, may also once again play a part at the Star Player Clinic, a popular feature of last year’s inaugural event.
With world-class tennis arriving in Abu Dhabi for the first time last January, Federer offered expert tips and advice to a group of eager youngsters from across the country.
John Lickrish, Managing Director of Flash Entertainment, the Abu Dhabi-based events company behind the tournament, said: “We are proud of the fact that Roger is returning to the Capitala World Tennis Championship for the second time and that he has been so positive about the way the tournament was run and its overall success.”
The Capitala World Tennis Championship will be held from December 31 2009 to January 2 2010 at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City.
Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here
