Dubai: Roger Federer will be bidding for an incredible seventh crown when the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships get underway later this month.
The defending Dubai champion wrote yet another page in the history books when he won in Brisbane last month to earn not only his 83rd title, but also his 1,000th singles victory — something achieved only twice before in the Open era.
He has long been the player to beat and his record in Dubai is second to none, with his success at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium now a far cry from his debut in 2002, when he produced a lacklustre performance against Rainer Schuettler that led to a second round defeat.
The Swiss maestro rebounded in spectacular style the following year, sweeping through the draw without dropping a set and beating Jiri Novak in the final to begin a spectacular run of success that shows no sign of abating.
In all the years he has played here since, he has only twice failed to reach the final — in 2008, when he lost in three sets to the 11th-ranked Andy Murray in the opening round, and in 2013, when he was felled in a three-set semi-final by Tomas Berdych after holding three match points.
Now the Swiss is ready to launch his bid for a seventh title and, after a 2014 season that saw him win five titles and reach a further six finals, he is full of confidence.
“I think I’m serving more consistently and stronger than I ever have,” Federer said. “I definitely think the [new] racquet has helped me with that as well a little bit. My concentration is there — better than it’s ever been — because I feel, over time, you always want to improve. I feel I’m playing very well.”
As he has slowly morphed into a tour veteran, Federer has felt a need to adjust his training and fitness work.
“It’s changed just because you’re more careful not to get injured,” he said. “Quality is more important than quantity. Whereas when you’re younger you’ve got to put in the hours, you’ve got to put in the work. Doesn’t matter if you’re tired, you’ve just got to get through it, get match tough, go through the grind.
“But I am 33 now, so things are a bit different today than they were 10 years ago.”
Federer will face a formidable field as he bids to continue his run of Dubai successes, with major challenges coming not only from Novak Djokovic, Berdych and Murray, but others such as Mikhail Youzhny and Feliciano Lopez, who have proved to be worthy opponents in the past.
“Roger Federer is a champion in every sense, both on and off the court, and we are thrilled that he will once again be taking part in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, the tournament owners and organisers.
“Although he has enjoyed enormous success here, history has shown that victory can never be taken for granted and it will be fascinating to see if he can once again leave here as the champion.”
Tournament director Salah Tahlak added: “Roger Federer will go down in the history books as one of the greatest ever to have played the game and, with his presence so much in demand all around the world, it has been an honour to see him play in Dubai so many times in his career. At the age of 33, his hunger for the game remains as strong as ever and no-one would be surprised if he can claim the title here yet again.”
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships begins with the WTA event from Febraury 15 to 21, before the ATP tournament from February 23 to 28.
Tickets are available from the box office at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud, which opens from 9am to 9pm daily. Grandstand tickets can also be bought online at www.timeouttickets.com. For more information visit www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com.
