Roger Federer, 17 time Grand Slam champion, was given the cold shoulders for this year’s Abu Dhabi exhibition slated on December 27 to 29.
This year’s event theme: “past champions” gave the reason why Roger Federer is out of the list.
“The Championship adores Roger and we cherish that friendship very much, but we are sticking to the theme of past champions. That was a very definitive, clearly cut decision.” said Sproule, IMG organizer.
Abu Dhabi’s hardcourt will welcome Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, David Ferrer, Thomas Berdych and Janko Tipsarevic wherein they define this year’s line-up as their “strongest line-up ever.”
Critics and other reports have concluded that the reason why Roger Federer was out from the exhibition is because of his recent split with sports managing company IMG – which are the same organizers of the Mubadala World Tennis Championships, Abu Dhabi – back in June shortly after his long time agent Tony Godsick left the firm.
But as for Roger Federer, his fans are the sole reason why he loves to come back. “Each year the support I receive is amazing and appreciated,” Federer said last year. “The fans in Abu Dhabi give me a great welcome and its part of the reason I come back.”
Here are the Mubadala World Tennis Championships, Abu Dhabi match results of Federer for the past years:
2009: Semfinals – Andy Murray defeated Roger Federer: 6-4, 2-6, 6-7(6)
2010: Semifinals – Robin Soderling defeated Roger Federer: 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 2-6
2011(Jan): Finals: Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer: 6-7(4), 6-7(3)
2011 (Dec): Semifinals: Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer: 2-6, 1-6
Roger Federer may not need to be bothered on being snobbed in this tournament as he will be jump starting his South American tour soon where he is scheduled to play 3 exhibition events all throughout December!
Funny “Legend or Fact” interview of Roger Federer by Brazilin Felipe Andreoli here:
