Rafael Nadal on post-retirement goals, promoting tennis in Saudi Arabia and his ATP Finals regret


Reem Abulleil
  • English
  • Arabic

Many years ago, Rafael Nadal sat down with his father Sebastian, who asked him how he envisioned his life after his retirement from tennis.

“He asked me what I want to do after tennis, if I want to relax and enjoy life or want to keep working and do things?” Nadal told The National in an interview in Jeddah last week.

As a 22-time Grand Slam champion who dedicated three decades of his life to tennis and made more than $130 million in on-court career earnings – not to mention his wide portfolio of endorsement deals – Nadal would be forgiven if he chooses to spend the rest of his life relaxing with his family, fishing, and golfing, now that he is freshly retired at the age of 38.

But the Spaniard always knew he wanted more. “My answer was, no, I don’t understand my life without having goals,” he told his father back then.

“Of course I want to enjoy the family, the friends, and it’s true that I worked a lot since I was a very, very young kid, so I want my time to enjoy life. But I understand that in this life it’s important to have motivations, to have goals, and that’s why I have already prepared my future.

“I was very lucky that I have a great family, a great team around me that prepared my future with the [Rafa Nadal] academy, with of course different projects with my foundation that we are doing a great job helping a lot of families.

“And I am very excited about this new chapter in my life. It’s just very early to talk about it because I just stopped playing tennis one month ago but I am very, very excited and I am just now organising my future.”

Part of Nadal’s future involves helping promote tennis in Saudi Arabia as an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation, a role he took on back in January.

Nadal's career highlights – in pictures

  • Spanish great Rafael Nadal's stellar came to end on Tuesday. Getty Images
    Spanish great Rafael Nadal's stellar came to end on Tuesday. Getty Images
  • Rafael Nadal lifts the 2022 French Open trophy after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway in the final. Getty Images
    Rafael Nadal lifts the 2022 French Open trophy after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway in the final. Getty Images
  • Rafael Nadal retires with a total of 92 titles in the tour, including 22 Grand Slam trophies. Getty Images
    Rafael Nadal retires with a total of 92 titles in the tour, including 22 Grand Slam trophies. Getty Images
  • Rafael Nadal after defeating Novak Djokovic to win the 2020 French Open title. AP
    Rafael Nadal after defeating Novak Djokovic to win the 2020 French Open title. AP
  • Rafael Nadal takes a selfie with compatriots after Spain defeated Canada to win the Davis Cup final in 2019. AP
    Rafael Nadal takes a selfie with compatriots after Spain defeated Canada to win the Davis Cup final in 2019. AP
  • Rafael Nadal spent a total of 209 weeks at top of the ATP rankings. Getty Images
    Rafael Nadal spent a total of 209 weeks at top of the ATP rankings. Getty Images
  • Rafael Nadal has a 1,080-228 record in tour-level singles matches - the fourth best among men. Getty Images
    Rafael Nadal has a 1,080-228 record in tour-level singles matches - the fourth best among men. Getty Images
  • Rafael Nadal lifts the Wimbledon trophy after defeating Tomas Berdych in the 2010 final. Getty Images
    Rafael Nadal lifts the Wimbledon trophy after defeating Tomas Berdych in the 2010 final. Getty Images
  • Rafael Nadal has won the French Open a record 14 times. Getty Images
    Rafael Nadal has won the French Open a record 14 times. Getty Images
  • Rafael Nadal with rival-turned-friend Roger Federer during the Monte Carlo Masters in 2007. Getty Images
    Rafael Nadal with rival-turned-friend Roger Federer during the Monte Carlo Masters in 2007. Getty Images
  • Rafael Nadal won gold for Spain at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Getty Images
    Rafael Nadal won gold for Spain at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Getty Images
  • Rafael Nadal after defeating Roger Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final - considered the greatest tennis match of all time. Getty Images
    Rafael Nadal after defeating Roger Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final - considered the greatest tennis match of all time. Getty Images
  • Rafael Nadal is felicitated after breaking Guillermo Vilas', right, record of 53 consecutive clay court wins during the 2006 French Open. Getty Images
    Rafael Nadal is felicitated after breaking Guillermo Vilas', right, record of 53 consecutive clay court wins during the 2006 French Open. Getty Images
  • Rafael Nadal after defeating Guillermo Coria in the Rome Masters in 2005. Getty Images
    Rafael Nadal after defeating Guillermo Coria in the Rome Masters in 2005. Getty Images

Last week, he spent three days in Jeddah immersing himself in the tennis community in the Red Sea city, and learning more about Saudi culture.

He attended the Next Gen ATP Finals at King Abdullah Sports City, took part in daily meet-and-greets, engaged with hundreds of kids in tennis clinics, took part in the award ceremony of an under-14 Asian tennis tournament, met the Saudi Davis Cup team as well as a group of junior wheelchair players, spoke at a coaches’ conference, and lots more.

It was Nadal’s third visit to the kingdom – and first time in Jeddah – and he is still learning more about the tennis landscape there.

“For me, it’s an opportunity, first of all, to know a different culture,” said Nadal of why he decided to become an STF ambassador.

“Second, to promote our sport in a region that is really growing in that regard. And in some way, as a tennis ambassador, we have the obligation to promote our sport around the world. And this is a region that is opening to the world in recent years, so my goal and my motivation is to bring tennis to the new generations.

“It’s to bring the message that being in the world of sport, you’re going to grow with positive values. You’re going to learn a lot about how to be prepared for your future life, because sport is a very important learning [tool] in all ways.

“So in some way, my message, and the way that I want to be remembered here, is as a person that is here to help the new generations to practise and play more and more tennis.”

Nadal is no stranger to the Middle East.

He played in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for the first time in 2004, and made his Qatar Open debut in Doha a year later. He participated in almost every edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi between 2009 and 2021, and earlier this year, competed at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, where he faced his long-time rival Novak Djokovic for the last time before retiring from the sport.

He also opened a branch of his academy in Kuwait in 2020.

Rafael Nadal signs autographs for eager children in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Saudi Tennis Federation
Rafael Nadal signs autographs for eager children in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Saudi Tennis Federation

News of his latest tie-up with the STF was not warmly received by everyone when it was announced in January, but Nadal is not shying away from any criticism that has come his way, and says he believes in what he is trying to achieve in Saudi Arabia.

“We are in a free world and people can talk about anything. But in some way, it’s important that the people, when they talk about things, it’s important that the people have the chances to visit the places, to know the real thing of the places,” he explained.

“I am lucky, that because of my sport, I have been able to know all different cultures, so probably I have a different vision about the world in general than the people who don’t have the luck to visit all these places around the world.

“And because of that, because I saw all the realities in the world I think I was able to see things with a different perspective.

“So I accept the critics, especially I respect the critics who criticise things while respecting other people. When they don’t respect, it’s a different story.

“But I really, in some way, at the end of the day, I know when I make the decision that’s going to be happening. But in some way I don’t care that much if I really achieve the goal that I want to achieve here. In the end it’s to improve the life, promoting sport in this country.”

Nadal has witnessed first-hand the development of sport in places such as the UAE and Qatar and hopes to help instigate a similar effect on tennis in Saudi Arabia.

“If I am able with what I am doing and what I’m going to do here, improve and bring more kids to the world of tennis and to the world of sport, that’s my goal and that’s my motivation. And then if I’m not able to make that happen, then of course I will say to myself, OK, I got criticised and maybe they were right,” he added.

“But if I achieve my goal, maybe they’re going to be wrong and I’m going to achieve the goal and what I set out to do by being here. So, I don’t care that much. I’m just focused on doing things the best way possible, stay focused on the journey, and then let’s see.

“From experience, I see all these places, like Dubai, that I was there a long time ago, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and I see here the opportunity to create something beautiful for the people, and I’m excited about it.”

Nadal played the last professional match of his career at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga last month after a lengthy battle with injuries that has forced him to hang up his racquet.

He got to bid farewell on home soil, after a loss to the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp, and admitted in his retirement speech that he wasn’t tired of tennis, but his body was.

Five weeks on from that final match, Nadal is at complete “peace” with himself. “I was ready for it. It’s important I was 100 per cent ready,” he said of that moment in Malaga.

“The last year and a half have been very tough in terms of not being able to practise and compete on a regular basis and to the standard that I am used to. So I tried my best until the last day.

“I just did the surgery in my hip to try to keep going but it simply didn’t work as good as I needed it to be to keep going. But I’m 100 per cent at peace with myself that I tried my best until the last day, to have success, and to stay with calm with myself that I did all I could do to be very well satisfied with myself.”

The Mallorcan will go down in history as one of the biggest fighters and greatest competitors in all of sport but perhaps his most underrated asset was his ability to accept adversity and find ways to navigate it.

In a conversation he had with some of the Next Gen players in Jeddah last weekend, he spoke about how he managed to win many tournaments without playing his best, because he accepted he wasn’t able to find his A-game and chose to do the best with what he had at the time.

He accepted his injuries, his rivals, and his shortcomings, and avoided having extreme reactions to both victory and defeat.

“At the end of the day, things that you cannot control, you cannot control,” he said. “You can be sad, you can be angry, but at the end life continues and it’s about trying always to be happy, accepting what you have in every single moment.

“I really think that I had a very positive example, with my family next to me. Honestly, I really accepted all the challenges of my tennis career, in terms of injuries, in terms of bad moments, and accepting that then it’s easy to survive and to come back with motivation, with passion, and that’s what I did. Accept how you are today and just work on how you will be tomorrow.”

For a man who has achieved everything in tennis, from Grand Slams to Olympic gold medals to Davis Cup titles – it’s virtually impossible to pick a hole in his resume. But prompted to reveal the one trophy he wishes he could have won during his career, Nadal said: “Of course I would like to have won the ATP Finals one time, that’s probably the only important event that I never won. But that’s it.

“I was a little bit unlucky that at the end of the season I was not in my best shape physically. A lot of time with injuries. Then I had very difficult rivals in front and I played all my career ATP Finals in indoor fast courts, on indoor hard, and at the beginning indoor carpet.

“But nothing to complain. If you ask me what I would have liked to win, of course I would love to have one of these. I had my chances; I was not able to convert them. That’s fine.”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SEMI-FINAL

Monterrey 1 

Funes Mori (14)

Liverpool 2

Keita (11), Firmino (90 1)

THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

Price: From Dh59,700 

 

On sale: now  

 

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Elia%20Suleiman%2C%20Manal%20Khader%2C%20Amer%20Daher%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Elia%20Suleiman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap​​​​​​​
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal​​​​​​​
Rating: 3.5/5

'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey'

Rating: 3/5

Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro

Writers: Walter Mosley

Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Abaya trends

The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Surianah's top five jazz artists

Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.  

Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.

Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.

Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.

Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.

Results

2.15pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m

Winner: Hello, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihi (trainer).

2.45pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m

Winner: Right Flank, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

3.15pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,000m

Winner: Leading Spirit, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

3.45pm: Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 Dh575,000 1,600m

Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,400m

Winner: Ode To Autumn, Patrick Cosgrave, Satish Seemar.

4.45pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh125,000 1,200m

Winner: Last Surprise, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.

5.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,200m

Winner: Daltrey, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihi.

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Illegal%20shipments%20intercepted%20in%20Gulf%20region
%3Cp%3EThe%20Royal%20Navy%20raid%20is%20the%20latest%20in%20a%20series%20of%20successful%20interceptions%20of%20drugs%20and%20arms%20in%20the%20Gulf%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMay%2011%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUS%20coastguard%20recovers%20%2480%20million%20heroin%20haul%20from%20fishing%20vessel%20in%20Gulf%20of%20Oman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMay%208%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20US%20coastguard%20vessel%20USCGC%20Glen%20Harris%20seizes%20heroin%20and%20meth%20worth%20more%20than%20%2430%20million%20from%20a%20fishing%20boat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMarch%202%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Anti-tank%20guided%20missiles%20and%20missile%20components%20seized%20by%20HMS%20Lancaster%20from%20a%20small%20boat%20travelling%20from%20Iran%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOctober%209%2C%202022%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERoyal%20Navy%20frigate%20HMS%20Montrose%20recovers%20drugs%20worth%20%2417.8%20million%20from%20a%20dhow%20in%20Arabian%20Sea%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESeptember%2027%2C%202022%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20US%20Naval%20Forces%20Central%20Command%20reports%20a%20find%20of%202.4%20tonnes%20of%20heroin%20on%20board%20fishing%20boat%20in%20Gulf%20of%20Oman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Important questions to consider

1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?

There are different types of travel available for pets:

  • Manifest cargo
  • Excess luggage in the hold
  • Excess luggage in the cabin

Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.

 

2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?

If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.

If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.

 

3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?

As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.

If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty. 

If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport. 

 

4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?

This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.

In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.

 

5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?

Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.

Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.

Source: Pawsome Pets UAE

The biog

Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar

Nationality: Emirati

Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology

Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels

Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs

Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends

Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes

Water waste

In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.

Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.

A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.

The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.

COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Blah

Started: 2018

Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri

Based: Dubai

Industry: Technology and talent management

Initial investment: Dh20,000

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 40

The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands

50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias

Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

WWE World Heavyweight Championship AJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura

Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal

SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos

Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho

Singles match John Cena v Triple H

Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba

 

Federer's 19 grand slam titles

Australian Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal

French Open (1 title) - 2009 bt Robin Soderling

Wimbledon (8 titles) - 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic

US Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray

RESULT

Liverpool 4 Southampton 0
Jota (2', 32')
Thiago (37')
Van Dijk (52')

Man of the match: Diogo Jota (Liverpool)

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo

Transmission: CVT

Power: 170bhp

Torque: 220Nm

Price: Dh98,900

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor

Power: 843hp at N/A rpm

Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km

On sale: October to December

Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners

Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta​​​​​​​
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)

The Matrix Resurrections

Director: Lana Wachowski

Stars:  Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick 

Rating:****

RIVER%20SPIRIT
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FIGHT CARD

 

1.           Featherweight 66kg

Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)

2.           Lightweight 70kg

Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)

3.           Welterweight 77kg

Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)

4.           Lightweight 70kg

Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)

5.           Featherweight 66kg

Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)

6.           Catchweight 85kg

Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)

7.           Featherweight 66kg

Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)

8.           Catchweight 73kg

Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Abdipatta Abdizhali (KGZ)

9.           Featherweight 66kg

Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)

10.         Catchweight 90kg

Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)

BULKWHIZ PROFILE

Date started: February 2017

Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce 

Size: 50 employees

Funding: approximately $6m

Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait

The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80

Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km

The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Updated: December 26, 2024, 1:25 PM