UAE football star Omar Abdulrahman has challenged Rafael Nadal to a game of tennis when the Spaniard is in Abu Dhabi for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) later this month.
Al Ain captain Abdulrahman has enjoyed a personally successful 2016. He was named the Asian Player of the Year for his role in his club’s march to the Asian Champions League final and in the UAE’s progression to the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
He may be one of the finest football talents in Asia, but Abdulrahman is keen to test his tennis skills against one of the world’s top players.
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Nadal, 30, will be attempting to defend his MWTC title and will take on Czech world No 10 Tomas Berdych in the second quarter-final on the tournament’s opening day on December 29. Their match follows the first quarter-final between France’s world No 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and world No 11 David Goffin from Belgium. The action takes place at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City.
In a recorded video message ahead of the tournament, Abdulrahman said he hopes to show former world No 1 “a thing or two” on the tennis court.
“It’s great to be here in Abu Dhabi ahead of what will no doubt be another show-stopping tournament, looking at the incredible line-up this year,” Abdulrahman, 25, said.
“I really enjoy watching tennis, especially the level of talented sportsmen that play at Mubadala World Tennis Championship year-after-year. I like how Rafa plays and wish him the best of luck in the tournament.”
Completing the MWTC line-up is world No 1 Andy Murray, who will face the winner of Tsonga’s match with Goffin, and world No 3 Milos Raonic, who will take on either Nadal or Berdych.
Asked to predict who will win the tournament, Abdulrahman said it will be “too close to call”.
For more information and about the 2016 Mubadala Tennis World Championship and for tickets, visit: www.mubadalawtc.com.
SCHEDULE
Day 1 — December 29 (from 5pm)
Quarter-final 1: David Goffin v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Quarter-final 2: Rafael Nadal v Tomas Berdych
Day 2 — December 30 (from 5pm)
Semi-final 1: Andy Murray vs Tsonga/Goffin
Semi-final 2: Milos Raonic vs Nadal/Berdych
Day 3 — December 31
3rd/4th place play-off (1pm)
Final (3pm)
* The National staff
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