Nadal Adds Another Date To His South American Tour

In slightly different circumstances Nadal is following closely in Federer's footsteps by touring South America. Unlike Federer who just played exhibition matches he is playing in three real tournaments. Vin Del Mar (Just confirmed starting February the 4th), Sao Paulo (February 11th) and Acapulco (February 25th). He is no doubt using these tournaments to help him ease back into tournament play after his injury lay off. Also appearance fees and the level of interest in him as an individual will generate an exhibition feel. But the question is will it be enough for him to turn up, wave, smile, sign a few autographs and hit a few tennis balls or is it important that he wins?

He may need a bit of time to get back into it after such a long lay off but I have a feeling his competitive nature will come to the fore. His main focus will be getting in the match practice ahead of the clay masters and FO to defend his points. Personally I don't think it is important that he wins these first few tournaments back but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he does.

Good to have him back

He's got to be a little bit rusty from his lengthy spell injured but can you really imagine Nadal being happy to simply hit a few balls and take the money?

It'll be interesting to see just who he's up against.

newballs wrote:can you really imagine Nadal being happy to simply hit a few balls and take the money?

Nope, he is a born competitor.

hawkeye wrote:In slightly different circumstances Nadal is following closely in Federer's footsteps by touring South America. Unlike Federer who just played exhibition matches he is playing in three real tournaments. Vin Del Mar (Just confirmed starting February the 4th), Sao Paulo (February 11th) and Acapulco (February 25th). He is no doubt using these tournaments to help him ease back into tournament play after his injury lay off. Also appearance fees and the level of interest in him as an individual will generate an exhibition feel. But the question is will it be enough for him to turn up, wave, smile, sign a few autographs and hit a few tennis balls or is it important that he wins?

The Fortunate One - Roger Federer - got paid $2 million per date on 'The Gillette Roger Federer Tour feat. Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Jo Tsonga'.

The Main Event Lads have heard from an ATP insider that the Tournament Directors of the Golden Swing wanted nothing to do with Nadal, fearing that the Spaniard's presence would damage the reputation of their tournaments, but that they allowed his participation as long as Nadal paid them 'participation fees' in the range of $100K. They would have asked Nadal for higher 'participation fees' but didn't want to hit Rafa 'The Pauper' too hard in the wallet given these tough economic times.

Spaghetti-Hans wrote:

The Main Event Lads have heard from an ATP insider that the Tournament Directors of the Golden Swing wanted nothing to do with Nadal, fearing that the Spaniard's presence would damage the reputation of their tournaments, but that they allowed his participation as long as Nadal paid them 'participation fees' in the range of $100K. They would have asked Nadal for higher 'participation fees' but didn't want to hit Rafa 'The Pauper' too hard in the wallet given these tough economic times.

And I have now received official confirmation from my sources in the ATP that you are lying.
My primary suggestion would be that one of your schizophrenic friends lied to you

Real tournaments is kinda pushing it.

On the positive side, the do provide a whole host of bye first round matches in the non-French slams by over-inflating the rankings of a bunch of South American beach tennis players.