Dubai: Top seed and world number two has no doubt that he made the right choice in using Dubai as his base.
"Switzerland is my home and it will always be, and this is where I'm going to grow old. So Switzerland for me is obviously the place.
"But honestly, I really enjoy being here [in Dubai]. It works really well during the hardcourt season from the beginning of the American summer until sort of about this time around.
"Then we go on clay and grass and stuff and I'm in Europe more often. But I'm happy I chose Dubai as a base, a practice base or as a going through place for me to the rest of world. It's a good location and I don't regret it," Federer told media after going through his first round meeting against Somdev Devvarman.
Charm of its own
The former world number one came here way back in 2004 on vacation en route from Bangkok and liked the feel of Dubai.
"I met up with Tony Roche [his coach] for a practice session, sort of an undercover operation. And I thought it was a direct flight for him, and let's meet here and do a few days together. I remember it was brutally hot, I think like 39 degrees every day, but I had a good time practicing. It was peace and quiet and I kind of enjoyed it here," he recalled.
"I think I came back one more time for vacation and practiced some more. And then I thought this works well for practice and leisure and the next thing I knew, I had an apartment. It all happened quite quickly, to be honest. You know, it was funny how it all worked out," Federer said.
The former world number and holder of the maximum Grand Slams titles agreed that the Dubai Tennis Championships has a charm of its own.
"I think at the end of the day every tournament has its own charm. It's mean to have a ranking saying like this is better than the other. I'm sure some are run very professionally.
"Here I think they work extremely hard. They are very well organised, professional. I think it has a nice feeling as well as being a tennis club. I'm a member here. They gave me an honourary membership when I beat [Jimmy] Connors's record here. I think it has a nice charm to it here," Federer offered.
"And I think over the years, really now the fans that flock to the stadium are quite excited that tennis is here."
