ABU DHABI // Rafael Nadal believes his victory in Abu Dhabi at the start of the year provided the platform for his hat-trick of grand slam tournament wins this season and his rise to the summit of world tennis.
The left-hander beat Robin Soderling in the capital in January, earning him US$250,000 (Dh918,250) in the winner-takes-all event.
He then used that 7-6, 7-5 victory as a springboard for a career-defining year that yielded the titles at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
"Abu Dhabi is a very special place to me," Nadal said. "I have enjoyed the best season of my life so far and it all started with a victory in Abu Dhabi."
The 24-year-old will return for next year's event - from December 30 to January 1 - with Soderling, Roger Federer, Tomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marcos Baghdatis.
"The early-season momentum that you can gain there is good for the Australian Open," Nadal said.
"Having seen the strength of the field, I look forward to returning to defend my title in a fantastic city that loves tennis and is emerging as one of the world's great sporting destinations."
Federer, who was deposed as world No 1 by Nadal this year, was beaten by Andy Murray in the inaugural Capitala championships two years ago, while his hopes of taking on Nadal in last year's final were scuppered by Soderling.
Despite the shock defeat earlier this year, the Swiss felt the event provided ideal preparation for the Australian Open. "To win this event against such a strong field will be the perfect start to the 2011 season as this world-class tournament has put Abu Dhabi on the global tennis stage," Federer said.
The tournament will this year be sponsored by Mubadala but Flash Entertainment, the events company who organise the exhibition, see no reason to change the format.
"Money is of secondary importance here," John Lickrish, their managing director, said. "All of the players involved earn tons of money in other tournaments. If you put six of the world's top players in an environment like this they are going to run like thoroughbred racehorses. It's in their blood.
"We keep the prize as winner-takes-all knowing that they will all go full on to win it and those that don't win it are happy with the chance to take on men who are going to be among their fiercest rivals for the rest of the year."
Lickrish accompanied representatives of Mubadala, Tennis Emirates and IMG, the international sporting events management company, at yesterday's official launch of the exhibition at Zayed Sports City.
Mubadala are to be title sponsors for at least the next two years.
"I would like to see this tournament run for another 10 years but a lot depends on what we get from our corporate partners and what we get from the community.
"As long as they remain in place we are well set for the future," Lickrish said.
Greg Sproule, a spokesman for IMG, was excited to be staging what he called "a bigger and better event than ever".
He said: "We have an important community mandate and we are passionate about sharing it with all those involved."
