Complaints about a long ATP season sudden go quiet when the sheiks of Abu Dhabi whip out their chequebooks.

Most sensible statement Johan has made since I've been reading his articles...........despite the fact that it should read 'suddenly'...........Oh and Roger isn't defending champ, Rafa is.

Johan really needs some fact check. This is not the first time mistakes are being spotted.

The exho now has become a yearly affair, in preparation for the new season, as it usually cross over to the new year, on first or second of Jan. This year it happens to end on 31 Dec, so it seems like the last event of 2011. It depends on how one wants to view it, that this event closes the year 2011; or it is the preparation for the beginning of a new year and new season.

I'm glad that Roger is taking an extended break now because December isn't much especially when you start playing right after Christmas.

I honestly don't see how an exho could be prep for the new season. I suppose it could whet their appetites in the fat checks department for the new season but nothing more. KooYong is more of a prep than the exhos where only a bunch of the chosen few are invited. Money talks the chosen few walks, I mean run. You got the money so we'll dance to your tune.

http://www.livetennisguide.com/2011/10/27/rafael-nadal-uncle-miguel-an gel-nadal-working-with-me/

All hands on deck! This is what I love about the Nadal clan...................the high value they place on family.................

It just occurred to me that Murray was not invited to partake in the AbuDhabi exho, but instead it's Ferrer, Monfils and Tsonga. I wonder it it's due to Murray is not managed by IMG?

scoretracker, you don't know that Murray wasn't invited.

If Rafa plays Dubai in February I might just come back for that.

http://www.rafaholics.com/2011/10/guess-what-nadal-likes.html

Rafan s, you are going to love this video!!! Enjoy!

@nadline, true, I'm only surmising that he wasn't invited.

Of all the reasons why Andy is not participating, you chose to "surmise" that he was not invited. Tell me that's not stoking the fire.

He wasn't invited last year, so what's wrong with me surmising it's the same this year. Why is this considered stoking the fire? I'm not tring to stir up anything, that's what stoking the fire means. Good grief, it's now wrong to even voice one's opinion?

The Abu Dhabi event is just an exhibition tournament and I think the players enjoy going there because they enjoy the hospitality and of course the financial rewards. If I was a tennis player and invited I would go there in a heartbeat.

As money is no object for the organisers of course they want the best in the world to take part otherwise they would have a hard time selling the event. They can afford the best so why not?

At the end of the day it is a nice relaxing way to start the new season even though the event this year starts at the end of the current year as some people have pointed out.

Last year I was on holiday in Egypt at the end of March and was astounded to discover by accident that Al Jazzera sport was transmitting tennis from Indian Wells and then Miami. I was amazed that they were broadcasting the events - needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed it even though the commentary was in Arabic :) The only downside of course was that Djokovic beat Rafa in both events.

By the way Nadline I wouldn't mind jumping in your suitcase if you are going back to watch our boy. Only joking of course. Hope you had a nice holiday with your daughter.

Why shouldn't we promote tennis in the middle east?

I for one enjoy watching the top guys playing no matter where it is.

For the record people.
Andy Murray WON this exho, beating Roger & Rafa back to back the 1st time it was staged in 2009.
The following 2 years he has chosen not to go, as he felt being in Australia for the Hopman Cup before the AO was better preparation, he got a pretty nasty virus prior to arriving in Australia last time possibly due to travelling from Asia to Oz.
He's the world number 3, so clearly they'd love him to participate.
There's still a chance he might, but I think its unlikely.

It's true that an exhibition is rarely good prep for the tennis season...OTOH, nothing wrong with getting some extra "practice" against the other top players.

I would imagine that Murray WAS invited. I can't imagine an exhibition of this caliber not wanting every one of the top 4 players involved.

Unless they thought that having Roger Rafa and Novak there was ALL that really mattered of-course Cheryl!
he-he-he....

I think Murray is wise not to go to the Abu Dhabi Exho. Last time Nadal got a nasty virus and Sosueme says even Murray had got a virus the year he went there.
But ultimately if an exho offers huge appearance money, I won't blame anyone for going there. I find this constant harping on why long season complainants should not go to exhos really ridiculous because the players are complaining about the ATP schedule and not about exhos or their practice schedules for that matter. Those who think the players who complain about the ATP schedule shouldn't play at all outside the tournaments might not be aware that elite players put in 2 or 3 hours of training and practice almost regularly. So according to these guys who think exhos prove the players complaint about the schedule is not genuine, even taking part in practice sessions everyday disproves the grueling schedule allegation.

I do not consider this a money grab only event. I always have the feeling that AU Open should have a masters tournement 1 or 2 weeks prior to the first slam. They really have little time to get ready and they do want to play some matches in the heat as well. And being certain you have two matches win or lose that makes it nice and comfortable to take into youre schedule for preparation. + you get the latest bugaboo. Come to think they are two years old now so no more bugaboo needed. little trolly will do fine if they get tired of walking.
You donot want to carry 2 girls on your neck when you want to win your first slam in 2 years.

Is this of topic?

Well Sienna,
As it is partially incomprehensible, I think you are safe from Cheryl's censorious instincts...this time.
I will say before some rather ominous people try & paint you for a victim here, that for the most part I think your English is rather good! Even the mistakes can be quite amusing.

of course you'll have to know the difference between bugaboo and trolly. And you'll have to know the price of a fullscale bugaboofor twins? wow if it is not one of your sponsors then they realy are weighing in on the family budget.

http://www.hippemamas.nl/nieuws/artikel/30216/De-nieuwe-Bug aboo-Donkey.html

Not off topic at all Sienna, and hilarious to boot. Come to think of it, Mr and Mrs Fed must receive lorry loads of freebies from manufacturers of everything from baby-gros to buggies.

I don't have any problem with the top players going to this exho event in Abu Dhabi. Exhos many times are no more than extended practice sessions that aren't going to take a toll on the player's bodies. They get good money to be there, are treated to nice accomodations and have a good time. It's not all work.

I am sure that they would love to have Andy Murry join their event. It's up to him, and as Sosueme has pointed out, he has chosen not to participate the last two years, going instead to the Hopman cup.

Murray probably prefers to go to Scotland for the Hogmanay in Edinburgh on New Year's Eve.

nadline,

I never heard of that.

Anyway, it's nice to have you back! :)

I've been to the Hogmanay in Edinburgh,
It's Scottish for 'New Year' (celebrations).
It's like this massive party to see in the New Year with live acts & fireworks etc.
It has an amazing atmosphere.
However it was FREEZING cold!
Scotland is a lot colder than London I think.
So you definitely need a 'wee dram' of whiskey or 10.
And Andy doesn't drink so..