DUBAI // The loss of Roger Federer, who as a four-time champion topped the bill at the star-studded Barclays Tennis Championships, is the latest in a series of major blows to hit this year's tournament.
The gloss has been taken off the one of the most attractive women's events outside the grand slams by the Sharar Peer visa controversy and now next week's men's showpiece, already threatened by another potential visa problem involving the Israeli doubles player Andy Ram, might by deprived of the world's best two players.
Before Federer announced his withdrawal late on Tuesday night, Rafael Nadal who last year deposed the Swiss at the top of the rankings, indicated he may also have to pull out of the 32-man tournament through injury.
Both men suffered badly at the end of last season with their respective fitness problems. Federer's back pain is evidently more serious than Nadal's knee because he has declared an intention to take "a few weeks" off to give the damage time to heal.
Nadal has given notice that the recurrence of the knee injury which kept him out of the end-of-season Masters Cup in Shanghai and Spain's Davis Cup final win over Argentina would not allow him to play in Dubai and in his country's ensuing Davis Cup tie against Serbia. His preference is likely to be the Davis Cup tie.
Damaging though Nadal's absence would be to the US$2million (Dh7,346m) tournament, it is overshadowed by Federer not appearing in his adopted home for the first time since 2002.
Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, who organised this two-week tennis festival and were the original title sponsors, said: "Roger is a four-time winner here and a great fan of Dubai and the tournament. We are sorry that injury has prevented him from playing this year but we wish him a speedy recovery."
"This decision was very difficult for me," said Federer, who will also miss Switzerland's Davis Cup tie away to the United States next month. "I won't just be missing one of my favourite tournaments of the tour, but also the chance to go through to the next round with my teammates."
Federer, 27, who has not played since losing an epic five-set Australian Open final to Nadal last month, believes the problem which forced his withdrawal from the Paris Masters in October and impaired his challenge for the ensuing Masters Cup in Shanghai, has not been given enough time to heal.
"After injuring my back last autumn, I did not have enough time to strengthen it completely," he said. " So I will use the next few weeks to make sure it is fully rehabilitated."
Federer, so close to equalling Pete Sampras's record of 14 grand slam titles in Melbourne, is determined to be at his peak for the three other majors of the year, particularly Wimbledon where he has triumphed five times and the US Open which he won for the fifth time last year.
His Dubai withdrawal and the considerable doubts about the participation of French Open and Wimbledon champion Nadal increases the prospects of Britain's Andy Murray completing a Middle East treble, the Scotsman having retained his Doha title last month a week after his splendid triumph in the inaugural Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament.
Andy Roddick, the big serving American who capitalised on Federer's first round Dubai exit at the hands of Murray 12 months ago, will also be eyeing a repeat win, while Novak Djokovic, winner of the Masters Cup in Nadal's absence, is another contender whose chances have dramatically improved.
wjohnson@thenational.ae
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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Griselda
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Company%20Profile
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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
England v South Africa Test series:
First Test: at Lord's, England won by 211 runs
Second Test: at Trent Bridge, South Africa won by 340 runs
Third Test: at The Oval, July 27-31
Fourth Test: at Old Trafford, August 4-8
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
India Test squad
Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
RESULT
Manchester City 1 Sheffield United 0
Man City: Jesus (9')
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
3%20Body%20Problem
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
