ABU DHABI Nicolas Almagro is back in action at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship starting Thursday. Just like the first time where he replaced his fellow countryman Rafael Nadal to make a late entry, he was confirmed at the last moment after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was forced to withdraw. While he went on to enter the final only to lose to Novak Djokovic in his inaugural appearance he aspires going all the way this time.
But given the fact that the 29-year-old Spaniard was out of action for most part of 2014 due to injury, Almagro speaks to XPRESS about how this tournament will allow him to test himself while he aims to stay healthy for the next season.
You made a last minute entry two years ago and went on to the final of Mubadala World Tennis Championship. How do you fancy your chances this year after again entering late?
It’s nice to be part of Mubadala World Tennis Championship. It gives you a chance to play against top players right from the start. It was amazing to be playing the final against a Novak (Djokovic) last time and hope I can repeat something similar this year. It should give me confidence going into the new season.
There are three Spanish players (Rafael Nadal and Feliciano Lopez are the other two) in the tournament this year, must be a special feeling?
Yes, it’s very special. Playing along side two top players who are good friends of mine in the same tournament is fantastic. It should be fun.
How important is this tournament to kick start the new season?
It’s important to play as many tournaments as possible because I have had a surgery. I want to see how my preparations since then has been and how good I can be against top players. This tournament will be perfect to figure out where I stand. So looking forward to be playing in Abu Dhabi and enjoy the tournament.
Have you set yourself any goals for the next season?
Most importantly I want stay healthy and fit. I lost many points las year since I was out of action. It’s difficult to be back again among the top players, but I’m ready to fight and see what I can do during the first three months of next year.
With injury keeping you away from action for most part of previous season, have you worked on any particular areas on your fitness?
I need to play confidently and show lot of aggression. I have made many changes to my game working closely with my team which you will see when I will be playing in Abu Dhabi. So hoping that I can work my way up starting from this tournament.
The Mubadala School programmes have been a big success. How important is it for top players to back such initiatives.
Mubadala is doing a wonderful job working on a lot of things around the tournament. We want to be close to the people and have fun and enjoy our time there. So initiatives like this allow us to interact with lot of people and help the game grow.
How exciting is it to be in Abu Dhabi immediately during the New Year?
I will be with my family and girl friend there. We will see what we can do I think it would be great spend the time in a city like Abu Dhabi and have fun.
