Rafael Nadal has signed up to compete in Dubai from 27 February to 5 March. Nadal, 36, will play Dubai for the first time since 2008. Nadal made his Dubai debut in 2004 when he reached the quarter-finals.
Two years later, Nadal won his first title in Dubai by beating Roger Federer in the final. In 2007 and 2008, Nadal reached back-to-back quarterfinals in Dubai. The Dubai event will be held concurrently with the Acapulco event.
After winning the Acapulco titles in 2020 and 2022, Nadal has decided to change his scenery as he will play in Dubai this year.
BREAKING: Rafael Nadal to play 2023 Dubai ATP 500 for first time in 15 years!
He usually plays Acapulco during that week. — José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 9, 2023
Nadal prepares to defend his title at the Australian Open
Nadal’s 2023 season hasn’t started well.
In his first United Cup match of the year, Nadal led by a set before losing to Cameron Norrie. The same happened in Nadal’s second match, when the Spaniard led by a set before Alex de Minaur came back to win in three sets.
Nadal failed to impress at the United Cup but vowed to keep fighting. “I need matches like this, I haven’t played many competitive matches in the last six months, almost seven, so days like this still help, the process is faster, but I have to keep fighting, that’s all.
For some moments I played a very good level of tennis. I could play good tennis but not consistent enough for me in the second set, break early in the second, chance to win almost every single match five to one or even six to one and I’ve lost six games in a row so it can’t happen.
And then a few more good points in the third, some chances but also some mistakes. That’s it, I have to keep fighting, keep finding the rhythm,” Nadal said after losing to de Minaur. Whether Nadal will be able to defend his title at the Australian Open in January remains to be seen.
