[Honestly]

Good luck to Nadal in 2013 and I wish him a speedy recovery.

[StatRacket]

I think this will work out OK. It's probably not in Rafa's best interest to play some of his top rivals right off the bat, even if it is only an exhibition event.

Doha has a weaker field than usual and as a seed Rafa won't have to play any top 40 player in his first two matches. Even his quarter-final won't be too bad.

[SliceAce]

Nadal refusing exo money Now we know something serious is going on...

[GSMnadal]

Originally Posted by SliceAce

Nadal refusing exo money Now we know something serious is going on...

Maybe NOW they'll finally ask Federer to take part in one of these tournaments.

[manadrainer]

Originally Posted by GSMnadal

Maybe NOW they'll finally ask Federer to take part in one of these tournaments.

Or maybe organizers realized Nadal didn't meet their criteria of "players who are going to win more slams than they already won"

[fifthsetshootout]

The Abu Dhabi exho is run by IMG. Federer left IMG, which is probably the reason why the organizers didn't extend an invite to him this year. Now, Nadal is reportedly leaving IMG to set up a separate management company run by his family.

I don't think it's a special coincidence that Rafa was struck by a stomach virus after the news of his departure from IMG was made public this week, since the only reason he committed to play Abu Dhabi in the first place was because of his ties to IMG. In any case, I'm sure Rafa will be fine. Whatever the deal is with him right now, he'll be back soon enough.

[StatRacket]

^Interesting. Thanks.

[duong]

Originally Posted by fifthsetshootout

The Abu Dhabi exho is run by IMG. Federer left IMG, which is probably the reason why the organizers didn't extend an invite to him this year. Now, Nadal is reportedly leaving IMG to set up a separate management company run by his family.

I don't think it's a special coincidence that Rafa was struck by a stomach virus after the news of his departure from IMG was made public this week, since the only reason he committed to play Abu Dhabi in the first place was because of his ties to IMG. In any case, I'm sure Rafa will be fine. Whatever the deal is with him right now, he'll be back soon enough.

I had heard this rumour that he was thinking of leaving IMG (many moves in that department after Fed had left in the middle of last year and as Djokovic has just joint them) but I really don't think it's the reason why he withdrew from Abu Dhabi : he had spoken about being back there for long, and obviously he was looking forward to being back. Also I think it's better to come back for an exho with the certainty to play 2 matches even if he loses, rather than with the pressure of an official match against a player against whom he's not supposed to lose and in a match which defines if he will be allowed to keep on playing matches the same week.

He says it's a stomach virus, I can only believe him, as it seems to me he also has had many illnesses in the past especially in stressful situations.

He's still in in Doha, we will see there.

[Corey Feldman]

unlucky for Dull but fantastic FU in the face of Abu Dhabi tournament directors

dont worry arabs, you still have Almagro

Originally Posted by GSMnadal

Maybe NOW they'll finally ask Federer to take part in one of these tournaments.

Nah they dont need Federer when they have Almagro, one of the arabs said it

[Slice Winner]

Everyone on Twitter saying they asked Fed to replace Nadal, and he refused.

[Corey Feldman]

Originally Posted by Slice Winner

Everyone on Twitter saying they asked Fed to replace Nadal, and he refused.

quite right, a good lesson to them on how you dont burn bridges by saying you'd prefer players like Almagro than Federer in the field

bet they are throwing millions at Fed and he is politely telling them to fuck off.

[Sri]

Originally Posted by Slice Winner

Everyone on Twitter saying they asked Fed to replace Nadal, and he refused.

rofl

[duong]

Originally Posted by Slice Winner

Everyone on Twitter saying they asked Fed to replace Nadal, and he refused.

many bullshits are said on Twitter.

[Roy Emerson]

Without Federer this exho lost its prestige.

[manadrainer]

Originally Posted by Corey Feldman

quite right, a good lesson to them on how you dont burn bridges by saying you'd prefer players like Almagro than Federer in the field

bet they are throwing millions at Fed and he is politely telling them to fuck off.

Rolexerer doesn't have time to play this useless exho. He made his personal exho tour in South America which was worth 10 to 12 million dollars.