WORLD TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP – Novak Djokovic has pulled out from the Final of the seventh edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championships against Andy Murray in Abu Dhabi due to illness missing the chance to win the exhibition tournament for the fourth time. Diego Sampaolo
“I have been sick today today and I am not fit to play”, said Djokovic in a press release
“Congratulations to Andy. It’s a shame that I couldn’t play him today but I am sure that we will meet again soon. I have had another great weekend in Abu Dhabi and played some great tennis against the best players in the world. I love being part of this tournament and I am really disappointed not to be able not to be able to take my chance of winning the trophy here again”, said Djokovic
Murray lifted the Mubadala Trophy without hitting a ball after the match for the third place between Rafa Nadal and Stan Wawrinka. The Scotsman qualified for the final after sweeping aside Nadal with 6-2 6-0 in the semifinal.
Murray felt pain on his left shoulder after the match against Nadal.
“I don’t know exactly what happened. I have never had anything to my shoulder before. I am going to have an ultrasound scan to check if there is anything or not. Then I will see what happens after that. It’s pretty sore and at the end of the match when I was reaching out to sign autographs, it was quite painful”, admitted Murray.
If Murray is fit to play, he will next play the Hopman Cup in Brisbane where he teams up with Heather Watson.
Nadal beat Wawrinka in the consolation final with 7-6 6-3 in his second match in two months. It was the second defeat for Wawrinka in this exhibition tournament after losing the seminal against Djokovic.
It was a confidence-boosting win for the nine-time Roland Garros champion who needs match practice in the build-up to the 2015 Australian Open which starts in Melbourne on 19th January.
The match started with both players trading breaks in the opening two games. Nadal and Wawrinka struggled to hold their serves during the first set which came down to the tie-break. Nadal dominated the breaker with 7-1.
The second set started again with both players trading early breaks. Nadal got a crucial break of serve in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead before wrapping up the match with 6-3.
Nadal will now play in Doha where he defends the title he won against Gael Monfils. Nadal started his 2014 Grand Slam campaign with the defeat against Wawrinka at the Australian Open.
