World No. 1 Rafael Nadal made the perfect start to the new season by winning the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition event on Saturday.

The world No. 1 sealed a 6-7(3), 7-5, 7-6(3) victory to capture his fifth title in Abu Dhabi. All three sets were closely contested, but our champ was calmer at the end and now is the only player with five titles at the event.

Rafa is the most frequent competitor in MWTC history having competed in 10 of the 12 tournaments, and he said he expects to be back again next year.

I came 10, why not 11? Honestly, you never know. I’m always one year older every time, but hopefully, I stay healthy and hopefully I will be back. It’s a tournament I like so much and I always have great feelings here,” he said during the trophy presentation.

Thank you to the crowd for an amazing year, their support is always amazing. Thank you Abu Dhabi, and thank you to Mubadala – please continue your support of tennis.

I had a great match today. Playing against Stefanos is always a big challenge for me. He’s young and he has a lot of energy. So all the best to Stefanos for the 2020 season.

The fifth title here means a lot to me, so I’m very happy to finish the 2019 season this way. I also want to say thank you very much to the fans. All of the crowd has been amazing here.

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Spain’s Rafael Nadal gestures during the Mubadala World Tennis Championship Final at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, on December 21, 2019. (Photo by – / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

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Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the Mubadala World Tennis Championship Final at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, on December 21, 2019. (Photo by – / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

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Spain’s Rafael Nadal (L) speaks with Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas after the Mubadala World Tennis Championship Final at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, on December 21, 2019. (Photo by – / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

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Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the Mubadala World Tennis Championship Final at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, on December 21, 2019. (Photo by – / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Photo via The National

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the Mubadala World Tennis Championship Final at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, on December 21, 2019. (Photo by – / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Source: The National