Nadal feeling better ahead of new year

Rafael Nadal has said that he is "feeling much better" after having a restricted close season because of tiredness.

The world number two returns to action tomorrow in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, where he will face either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or David Ferrer.

"I've not been able to practise as much in December as normal but I feel much better and this is why I'm here, to practise with the rest of the players," the 25-year-old said.

The event in the United Arab Emirates is seen by the players as a warm-up for next month's Australian Open.