Nikolay Davydenko, the resurgent Russian who stunned the tennis world to win the Barclays ATP World Tour finals in London this week, now has his sights firmly set on winning the Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.
Davydenko claimed victory at the season-ending tournament in London - the most prestigious event outside the four Grand Slams - after winning four of his five matches and accounting for US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 6-4 in the final.
His success now sets up a thrilling countdown to the Capitala World Tennis Championship where he will take on the world’s best again from 31st December - 2nd January 2010 at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City.
Davydenko, who became the first Russian to ever win the ATP World Tour Finals and is now ranked number six in the world following his stunning form in London, said:
’’It is a tremendous feeling after all the hard work I have put into my year. I have finished the year off the way I could not expect, having been injured for the first three months of the year.
"Now I am looking forward to starting next year off in good health by hopefully winning in Abu Dhabi. I really enjoyed the event in January and want to continue the form at the Capitala World Tennis Championship in a few short weeks. Abu Dhabi always puts on a great show and I hope to do my part when I’m there."
Davydenko was in the finest touch during the tournament, losing only his first round robin match to Novak Djokovic before going on to beat Rafael Nadal, Robin Soderling and world number one Roger Federer, all of whom he will be squaring off against during the Capitala World Tennis Championship.
"I played my hardest and beat the best players in the world on the big stage in London," he said. That is very rewarding for me and having my wife and my team there with me made it that much more special."
Davydenko now plans to take some time out with his family, refreshing himself for a full throttle campaign against the world’s best in Abu Dhabi in less than a month’s time.
"It has been a busy year, so I need a break to recharge my batteries," Davydenko said. I will spend time with my wife in the Maldives and then prepare in Thailand to arrive in Abu Dhabi rested and ready to go."
Tickets for the showpiece tennis event are selling fast and can be purchased through www.boxofficeme.com.
Prices start from just AED 65 and provide a multitude of other activities to enjoy beyond the tennis action, including the ’Interactive Tennis Village’ which offers first-class catering outlets and family areas.
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