After yesterday’s loss to David Ferrer, it was time for the 3rd and final day in Abu Dhabi where our champion Rafael Nadal played against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship for a third place finish. He defeated Tsonga 7-6(5), 6-3.
“I had treatment on the knee to keep it improving,” Rafa said. “When I started two weeks ago it was very slow and the first week I was playing without movement. Last week I started to move myself. I’m not 100 per cent but it’s great I came here, playing my first set in one month. The period between seasons is not big. So during Abu Dhabi and Doha (at the Qatar Open), I will continue practices and doing my warm-ups for the match more than what I would usually do. The period of practice in Mallorca was not enough so I need to keep preparing myself in these two events. I feel like I need to work on that extra thing to be 100 per cent ready in a few weeks.”
Next stop for Rafa will be ATP Doha where he will officially start the new season and a new fight for gaining ATP points. This will be his sixth appearance in Doha, and his best result was reaching the final. All we can say is VAMOS RAFA, we are behind you all the way.
Photos: AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, Mubadala World Tennis Championship
Totally agree Siddharth! He looks thinner.
ok goodluck rafa!!
If he stays healthy it will be another great season for him 😉
don’t you think, guys, that Rafa has actually got slimmer than he previously was
??? If i remember, he used to look bigger in 2010 and 2011….and in Abu Dhabi ,he wasn’t doing his best to get every ball back in play..I guess he was playing safe so as to not injure himself in any way before the big event.
I know he will play better. This year is going to be great if he stays healthy. Vamos Rafa !
You are the best
Rafa, tu eres grande… ya lo demostraste en este 2013… y espero que sigas siendo el Nº 1 en todo el año 2014… en Perú cuando se quiere alcanzar algo, siempre se dice “SI SE PUEDE……”