Abu Dhabi: After having lost the world No 1 ranking to Rafael Nadal and being denied his sixth successive Wimbledon title by the Spaniard, Roger Federer will attempt to regain lost glory in 2009 in the $250,000 (Dh917,500) Capitala World Tennis Championship starting in Abu Dhabi on January 1, 2009.

The three-day tournament features both Federer and Nadal along with the world's top ten tennis players - Andy Murray, Nikolay Davydenko, Andy Roddick and James Blake.

Hoping for a better start to the year compared to last year, Federer said he was looking forward to starting the year on a winning note.

"I am looking forward to the tournament in Abu Dhabi taking place for the first time, as well as the entire season of 2009," Federer said on his website.

"After a wonderful and very relaxing seaside holiday I am now in the final stage of preparation for the new season.

"Never before have I started a tennis-year as early as the one ahead. I will be back in action. There are such a large number of challenges lying ahead - facing them, working hard and giving my best is my goal," Federer said.

The 28-year-old Swiss ace, who was overshadowed by Nadal in 2008, said, "Looking back at the past 365 days brings back a lot of unforgettable experiences. But there are, of course, also the tough moments I had to go through.