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Reem Abulleil

Reem Abulleil

Contributor
Reem Abulleil is an Egyptian multimedia journalist and editor with over 14 years of experience covering sport both regionally and internationally. She travels the world covering tennis, F1 and the NBA, while also focusing on Arab athletes across a wide range of sports. Her columns and exclusive interviews provide insight into the happenings on the tennis circuit and shed light on important issues related to sport in the MENA region. Reem is also the host and producer of The National’s Abtal podcast, a series dedicated to Arab athletes and their journeys towards the Paris Olympics.
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Articles

MALAGA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 19: Rafael Nadal of Team Spain celebrates a point in his singles match against Botic van de Zandschulp of Team Netherlands in the quarterfinal tie between Netherlands and Spain during the Davis Cup Finals at Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena on November 19, 2024 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo by Matt McNulty / Getty Images for ITF)
Rafael Nadal helped me maintain a connection to my ailing father

My dad suffered with Alzheimer’s during the last years of his life - but the name 'Nadal' was somehow still tucked away in some miraculously accessible part of his mind

November 20, 2024
Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts in the quarter-final singles match between Netherlands and Spain during the Davis Cup Finals at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena arena in Malaga, southern Spain, on November 19, 2024. (Photo by Jorge GUERRERO / AFP)
Retiring Rafael Nadal loses in Davis Cup farewell match

Legend beaten in straight sets on emotional night in Malaga

November 19, 2024
Rafael Nadal will call time on his remarkable tennis career after Spain's Davis Cup tie against the Netherlands. AP
Nadal focus on Spain win in Davis Cup with emotions being saved 'for the end'

Former world No 1 set to play final match of career against Netherlands in Malaga

November 18, 2024
FC Masar qualified for the CAF Women’s Champions League two years earlier than expected, the club said, and are giving the continent's finest a run for their money. Photo: FC Masar
'You can’t compare us to any other club': The meteoric rise of Egypt's FC Masar women's team

Rebranded three years after being acquired by Right to Dream, the Cairo club are already league and cup winners and making their mark in the CAF Champions League too

November 18, 2024
Rafael Nadal, centre, talks to Pedro Martinez during a practice session in Malaga ahead of Spain's Davis Cup match against the Netherlands. Getty Images
Big farewell begins for Nadal as he ends career with Davis Cup finale

Tennis great set to wave goodbye to sport in front of adoring fans in Spain

November 17, 2024
Tennis - WTA Finals - King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 9, 2024 Coco Gauff of the U. S. celebrates with the trophy after winning the women's singles final against China's Qinwen Zheng REUTERS / Aleksandra Szmigiel
Gauff seals WTA Finals title after comeback win over Zheng in Saudi Arabia

American takes honours in Riyadh final after 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 victory at King Saud University Indoor Arena in Riyadh

November 09, 2024
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Qinwen Zheng of China and coach Pere Riba pose for photos with the runner-up trophy on Day 15 of the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
WTA Finals: Riba on coaching Zheng and aiming for world No 1 spot

Chinese Olympic gold medalist takes on Coco Gauff in Riyadh final with Spaniard having worked with both players in past

November 09, 2024
Tennis - WTA Finals - King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 8, 2024 Coco Gauff of the U. S. reacts during her women's singles semi final match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS / Aleksandra Szmigiel
WTA Finals: Gauff powers past Sabalenka to set up title battle with Zheng in Riyadh

American stuns world number one in Saudi Arabia after Chinese star beats Krejcikova in opening semi-final clash

November 08, 2024
Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova celebrates after winning a point against Coco Gauff in Riyadh. AFP
WTA Finals: Krejcikova beats Gauff to seal semi-final spot and eliminate Swiatek

Czech player grinds out victory against American as final four takes shape in Riyadh

November 07, 2024
Zheng Qinwen celebrates after beating Jasmine Paolini at the WTA Finals Championship in Riyadh on November 6, 2024. AFP
Zheng thrashes Paolini to seal WTA Finals last-four spot

Chinese Olympic gold medal winner powers past Italian 6-1, 6-1 in 67 minutes

November 06, 2024
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - NOVEMBER 05: Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates a point against Iga Swiatek of Poland in their round robin singles match during Day 4 of the 2024 WTA Finals Riyadh as part of the Hologic WTA Tour at King Saud University Indoor Arena on November 05, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)
Gauff reaches last four of WTA Finals after Swiatek win

American triumphs 6-3, 6-4 in Riyadh as Barbora Krejcikova ends Jessica Pegula’s semi-final hopes

November 05, 2024
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka greets supporters after winning her women's singles tennis match against Italy's Jasmine Paolini at the WTA Finals Championship in Riyadh on November 4, 2024. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)
Sabalenka reaches last four of WTA Finals after win against Paolini

Belarusian top seed advances after 6-3, 7-5 victory over Italian as Zheng beats Rybakina

November 04, 2024
Tennis - WTA Finals - King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 3, 2024 Poland's Iga Swiatek reacts during her women's singles group stage match against Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova REUTERS / Aleksandra Szmigiel
Swiatek begins defence of WTA Finals crown with win over Krejcikova

Second seed battles back from set down to triumph 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in Riyadh as American beats compatriot 6-3, 6-2

November 03, 2024
Coco Gauff at King Saud University Indoor Arena ahead of WTA Finals in Riyadh. Getty Images
Gauff on dealing with criticism and the WTA Finals in Riyadh

American star talks to The National about evolving as a player as she competes in Saudi Arabia

November 03, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka in action during her group stage match against Zheng Qinwen at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. EPA
Sabalenka sweeps aside Zheng to make winning start to WTA Finals in Riyadh

World number one in good touch as Saudi Arabia hosts its first professional women's tennis tournament

November 02, 2024