Roger Federer Bids for Eighth Dubai Title

January 17 2019 – DUBAI, UAE: Roger Federer is eagerly looking forward to making his bid for a remarkable eighth title when the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships kick off next month.

He lifted the trophy for the first time as far back as 2003, going on to win it again in three of the next four years. He then went on another winning streak, claiming the silverware three times in four years between 2012 and 2015.

“We could not have imagined when he won his first title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships that he would still be competing here 17 years later,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free. “Not only is he still playing but he is as competitive as ever, and it will be fascinating to see if he can win here yet again.”

Federer’s milestone-filled 2018

Now 37, Federer continued to amaze last season as he hit more career milestones during yet another stunning year. The 2018 season began with him claiming the Australian Open title, which was followed by three more crowns to leave him just one short of the magic hundred career singles titles. But it is his return to the No. 1 ranking, something that he achieved no less than three times during 2018, which gave him the most satisfaction.

“I must tell you I’m very proud that at 37 I’m still so competitive and so happy playing tennis,” Federer said. “It’s been a historic season in some ways. Got back to world No. 1. For me, that was a huge moment in my life, to be honest, in my career, because I never thought I would get there again.

“I think reaching No. 1 is one of, if not the, ultimate achievement in our sport. So sometimes at the beginning you just all of a sudden get there just because you’re playing so well. Later you sometimes try to fight and wrestle it back from somebody else who deserved to be there. And when you’re older, you know you feel like you have to put maybe sometimes double the work in. So this one maybe means the most to me [of any achievement] throughout my career. It is an absolute dream come true.”

Federer playing through the generations

It used to be that anyone approaching 30 was considered getting close to retirement, but improvements in training methods along with injury treatment and prevention has led to several players continuing to play far longer than their predecessors. And, although he is cautious about his future, Federer has not yet put a date on when he will eventually put away his racquets. He has relished playing through the generations and facing the challenge that the new faces represent.

“Of course it was very exciting playing my generation of players like Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Marat Safin and [Juan Carlos] Ferrero and all these guys,” Federer said. “So for me, you go through transitions. And this one is a very enjoyable one because I still have some of my age guys on the tour, which is great to see.

“But then also the Rafa [Nadal] and Novak generation, Andy Murray and Delpo [Juan Martin del Potro] and then the new ones coming through such as [Grigor] Dimitrov, [Kei] Nishikori and [Milos] Raonic and then now the super young guys like Borna [Coric], [Alexander] Zverev and so forth. So I think it’s nice to go through all of these different players and I think it’s helped me stay motivated for what’s to come.

“Also playing the next generation of players that’s coming up, it’s just a different feel. You have to switch your mind around a little bit and appreciate that the young generation is knocking on the door and they are really excited to play against you.”

Fantastic men’s week in store

Tournament Director Salah Tahlak, along with every tennis fan, is eagerly anticipating a week of top-class action with many of the world’s best players challenging Federer for the title.

“There is no question that Roger Federer will once again be a leading contender, and it will be very interesting to see how he fares against not only his more experienced opponents but several of the younger generation who are also making their mark at the top of the game”, he said.

Women’s field set

Federer will be just part of a fantastic group of players representing the very best of the different generations, and before the men’s battle commences tennis fans can enjoy a tremendous week of women’s tennis featuring an incredible nine of the top 10, including world No. 1 Simona Halep and defending two-time champion Elina Svitolina.

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, begins with the WTA event which takes place between 17th and 23rd February, and is followed by the ATP event between 25th February and 2nd March.

Tickets are available online at www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com. For further information about the tournament please visit www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com.