Nadal returns to Abu Dhabi on December 16

So it’s official, Rafa Nadal will be back on the pitch at the end of this year in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, the traditional Abu Dhabi hardcourt exhibition tournament that this year will be played from 16 to 18 December.

For the Majorcan, who in recent days announced that he wants to prepare for a return to the Australian Open 2022, it will be his return four months after his last appearance on the major. Rafa, stopped by the defeat against Djokovic in the semifinal at Roland Garros, had returned to the ATP 500 in Washington and immediately after the premature elimination at the hands of Harris, had decided to close his season well in advance to recover from the foot injury left.

And rivals

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In addition to Nadal’s, the Abu Dhabi tournament will also mark the return of Dominic Thiem, after a six-month break due to wrist problems. Rafa, who received a bye despite being an exhibition, will face the winner of the match between the Austrian and Andy Murray. On the other side of the board, however, Andrey Rublev awaits the winner from Ruud-Shapovalov.