Djokovic, Nadal, Federer look for early blows

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer meet in a $250,000 three-day exhibition tournament in the Gulf's winter sun from Thursday, eager to strike early blows ahead of the 2012 season.

In the new year, world number one Djokovic will defend three Grand Slam titles and Nadal will look to hang on to his Olympic title and French Open crown, while Federer, despite nearing his 31st birthday, is keen to extend his impressive late run in 2011. Djokovic won three of the four Grand Slams and five Masters this year and assembled a 70-6 winning record.

Injuries

His progress towards the end of the year was slowed by a series of back and shoulder injuries, but the Serb insists he is well rested as 2012 approaches.

"This year's success gives me a reason to believe that I can win again. Why not?" said the Serb, who has been based in Abu Dhabi for the last two weeks. "I think it doesn't make any sense to be anything other than optimistic. I need to believe in my qualities and my abilities and I need to believe that I can repeat the success.

"Of course it is going to be an incredibly difficult task to achieve, but you never know, nothing is really impossible."

Ranking

Nadal lost his world number one ranking to Djokovic in 2011 and cut a world-weary figure as the year came to an end, having played 84 matches - more than any of his rivals. But the 25-year-old, whose French Open triumph was his 10th major and sixth at Roland Garros, believes leading Spain to a fifth Davis Cup has helped re-ignite his hopes for 2012.

He is also determined to adopt a new approach to his trade. "I tell myself: 'If I do a bit more, I will be nearly back to winning things again.' That is the motivation. Recovering the extra will that makes you give a bit more of yourself," he said.

Altitude

"I have to get back to my cruising altitude, which should be higher. From Indian Wells to Wimbledon and the Olympic Games is where I have to recover my best level."

Federer, meanwhile, defied those who believe that having celebrated his 30th birthday in 2011, his best was behind him.

The Swiss won his first title in Doha in January before picking up three more in the home straight in Basel, Paris and a sixth World Tour finals trophy.

He will go into 2012, his 13th year on the tour, on the back of a 17-match winning run. ABU DHABI, Wednesday, AFP