Pas mal le "training"

Stage Set for Dubai Duty Free Men's Open

But many eyes will be on top seeds Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Nadal last year claimed a stunning three-set victory over the world number one and defending champion in a pulsating final, and went on to defeat Federer again in Monte Carlo, Rome and in the Roland Garros final.

Federer then halted Nadal’s run by holding off his challenge in the Wimbledon final and then beating him again in the semi-finals of the Masters Cup in Shanghai. Now the stage is set for their enthralling rivalry to continue at a tournament Federer describes as one of the best in the world.

Nadal went away delighted not only with his victory, but the reception he received wherever he went.

“The public was unbelievable with me,” said the Spanish teenager. “Every day the court was full when I played and they supported me a lot and I want to say thank you very much to everybody.

“I already had good memories of Dubai from the last time I was here, and I love it. It’s one of my favourite tournaments. It’s a special place, a city built in the desert. In a few years, if not already, it will be one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world.”

Although Federer and Nadal are fierce rivals, they are also friends and hold great respect for each other.

“I think he’s a very good person,” said Nadal. “He’s a normal person and that’s not easy when you are a very big star. I think he’s the best sportsman in the world, the best in history.”

While Federer and Nadal headline the 15th staging of the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open, they are certain to face stiff competition from talented opponents such as world number three Nikolay Davydenko, recent Zagreb champion Marcos Baghdatis, Adelaide winner Novak Djokovic, German number one Tommy Haas and amiable Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

“Once again we are delighted to be able to welcome so many of the world’s best players to Dubai,” said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of tournament organisers Dubai Duty Free. “Federer and Nadal have captured the imagination of the whole world with their fierce rivalry, but their success is by no means guaranteed with exciting young players such as Baghdatis and Djokovic to compete against.”

The Dubai Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and takes place under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

& Rafa enjoying his time :



Nadal Enjoys a Splashing Good Time Prior to Dubai Tennis Championships


Dubai, UAE, February 25th, 2007:

Defending champion Rafael Nadal took time out from his preparation for the Dubai Tennis Championships to satisfy his adventurous spirit at Wild Wadi, Dubai’s premier water park.

Displaying plenty of youthful enthusiasm, the 20-year-old Nadal eagerly made his way through the family-filled, Arabian-themed oasis located in the shadows of the Burj Al Arab. He enjoyed a couple of thrilling spins on an uphill water roller coaster, and relaxed on a raft as he drifted along the never-ending loop around the park.

Nadal also braved the view from the top of the Jumeirah Sceirah – the tallest and fastest free-fall speed slide outside of North America at 33 metres high – but elected to bypass the long plunge down the chute on the eve of the championships.

“It’s very nice,” said Nadal. “The weather is perfect and this is a very fun place for the kids – and for me, too.”

He added: “Dubai is improved every year. Every year I see something different so it’s a very nice place to be.”

The Spaniard, who returns for his third appearance at the $1.5 million Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open, also expressed his fondness of the tournament: “The tournament is one of the nicest tournaments in the system for sure. Especially being in this hotel and the club has very good facilities. The organization is very good and I have good memories of last year when I won. It’s very nice.”

Following his morning of relaxation at Wild Wadi, Nadal returned to the tennis court to resume his preparation for a tough opening round match against another of the ATP’s brightest young stars, Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.

The talented 32-player field also includes such opponents as three-time champion Roger Federer, world number three Nikolay Davydenko, Adelaide winner Novak Djokovic, German number one Tommy Haas and the amiable Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

“It’s going to be a very good tournament,” Nadal said. “It’s very tough because the best players in the world play here.”

Comments

[LydiA]

Je crois qu'on a à faire à un petit cachotier ce Rafa, 5 kilos en moins, appréciable pour les articulations et surtout en gardant sa masse musculaire, well, very well !

[amel]

salut a toutes et a tous
bon je c que tu incarne le péssimisme en personne mais la faut déstrasser rafa est mieux placé que nous pour savoir ce qu'il faut faire, faut pas oublier qu'il est entrain de se remettre de plusieurs bléssures consécutives et nous savons tous que méme s'il a dit que ce n'était pas grave c pas forcément la vérité car il n'aime pas se plaindre. il connait assez bien son corp et sais ce qu'il lui faut alors lachons lui un peu les baskettes le pauvre choux il doit en avoir marre de toutes ces préssions. le soleil c bon bon pour consolider les os.
               vamos rafa et surtout repose toi bien.

[julien]

je ne le critique pas , je suis pa daccord ses tt

[Nelo]

mdr!!! Rafael a complétement raison! et d'ailleurs je vois pas pourquoi tu le critique il s'entraine quand même ;) et juste pour une petite matinée où il prend du bon temps il se fait critiquer :'( Pauvre Rafa :'( Et puis c'est pas en s'entrainant comme un malade qu'il va arriver en forme et donc gagner...nan il a raison !

[*Nelly*]

J'adore Rafael Nadal , surtout quand il joue sur terre batue ...

[Chloë]

Oui je comprends mais .. je comprends Rafa aussi :-) Je pense que je faisait la même chose que lui

[julien]

nn je suis pa daccord il devrai faire comme federer et sentrainer sur les court

[LydiA]

Rhoo ! Julien, quel entraineur sévère tu ferais !
RafaeL a raison, ça ne sert à rien de s'inquiéter, un peu de bon temps n'a jamais tué personne, non ? D'ailleurs, je me demande pourquoi tu t'en fais, regarde, prends exemple !
Mais il est vrai qu'il va devoir relever les manches, chaque chose en son temps, enfin j'espère !

[julien]

ET JE PEU SAVOIR CE KI FOU LA ? IL DEVRAI SENTRAINER AU LIEU DE GLANDER . EN PLUS KAN JE VOI SON TABLEAU , SI IL ES PA A 100 POUR 100 , IL VA PA ATTEINDRE LES DEMI SA SES SUR. SI IL PARVIENT AU 3EME TOUR IL JOUERA YOUZNY ,  ET YOUZNY IL JOUE COMME UNE BETE POUR LE MOMENT IL VIEN DE TUER LJUBICIC 6-2 6-4 . ALOR BONNE MERDE RAFA

[LydiA]

Je veux la même chose et NELO aussi, elle vient de me le dire, (ton titre)