Federer to start 2011 in Abu Dhabi with Nadal

BASEL - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will begin their 2011 season campaigns at the Abu Dhabi exhibition tennis that the Spaniard won last January.

Federer, competing this week at his home Swiss Indoors, will line up alongside his world number one Spanish rival in the Gulf for the third time in as many years.

Nadal won the exhibition this year, with Federer placing third.

The all-star pair will be joined by two-time French Open finalist Robin Soderling, Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych and a pair of former Australian Open finalists, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and Marcos Baghdatis.

The three-day unofficial tournament starts December 30.

“I’ve enjoyed the best season of my career so far and it all started with a victory in Abu Dhabi, so it holds great memories,” Nadal said in a statement.

“The early season momentum is good preparation for the Australian Open,” Federer added.