RAFA SPENDS THE NEW YEAR ON A PLANE
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.
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