ABU DHABI // Rafael Nadal had a wonderful time when he spent the last New Year's holiday in Abu Dhabi. Meeting Shakira, one of his pop idols, at the Emirates Palace was the highlight; meeting Andy Murray in a splendidly entertaining final of the Capitala Championships at Zayed Sports City pushed it close.
"I loved the tournament," said the former world No 1, who regarded the high-class exhibition involving his arch rival Roger Federer and the eventual winner Murray as crucial to his preparations for the Australian Open at which he overcame Federer in one of their many epic finals.
"I was feeling great during the Abu Dhabi event and that definitely helped me for Melbourne," said the Spaniard.
"The crowds were really supportive which made it even more enjoyable.
"I will definitely have the same approach at the start of the new season. Abu Dhabi is a big part of that. Let see what happens but one thing for sure is that I will be trying my best."
Nadal is seeded to meet Federer in the final of the six-man exhibition event, which starts on Thursday. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Robin Soderling and Stanislas Wawrinka are also in the line-up for the event's second year, along with Nikolay Davydenko, making his second visit to the UAE capital.
"We have a very healthy rivalry," said Nadal, who was unable to keep that rivalry at its most intense during the second half of 2009 because of a series of fitness problems. Hoping his suspect knees are now back in top shape, he is aiming to earn back the top ranking from the sublime Swiss.
"I think Roger is probably the best player ever," said Nadal. "He is simply amazing. I feel lucky - and unlucky - to have played at the same time as him.
"I have been able to defeat him many times but he has also done the same to me. We both know that one small mistake can decide things when we meet."
Nadal's dominance on clay until this year's shock Roland Garros defeat by Soderling has restricted Federer's impact in the French Open, the Swiss capitalising this year on the elimination of his nemesis by completing what looked like proving an elusive career Grand Slam.
Similarly Federer's outstanding record at the other slams has prevented Nadal from taking more than one title at Wimbledon and Melbourne Park and failing to win at all at Flushing Meadows. "I have always said that I will try to win the US Open to complete my set," Nadal added.
Nadal was non-commital about his principal ambition for 2010. Re-establishing his King of Clay reputation is a priority but he also enjoyed his spell at the head of the rankings. "Normally one thing comes with the other, so it is hard to choose between those two goals," he said.
@Email:wjohnson@thenational.ae
Business Insights
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
SQUAD
Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammed Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Saeed Ahmed, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Muhammed Jumah, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder
Started: October 2021
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: technology, logistics
Investors: A15 and self-funded
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
