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The 20-time Grand Slam-winning Swiss master has a special relationship with the UAE, which he calls his home away from home
Roger Federer during the Dubai Tennis Championships. — Reuters Archive
That year was 2002. The Aero Club is gearing up to host the annual Dubai Tennis Championships, and the scene is buzzing with excitement and energy.
Everyone is talking about a 20-year-old talent from Basel, Switzerland, who is considered one of the sport’s rising stars.
Roger Federer has won his 100th career title at the Dubai Tennis Championships. — AFP document
But they were soon disappointed. Roger Federer finished sixth in Rotterdam’s doubles match against Romanian Adrian Voinea in the opening round, but then lost in straight sets to Germany’s Rainer Schutterer, and even No fights.
It was a huge disappointment for the organisers and for Dubai’s burgeoning tennis fan base.
Roger Federer (third from right) with Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free. — photos provided
However, Federer will have his revenge when he returns the following year to beat Czechoslovakia’s Giri Novak and claim the first of his epic eight titles at the Emirates.
“It’s a very bizarre story,” Federer said, recalling his false start in Dubai. “But I didn’t want to laugh at the time. It was about my pride, my reputation.”
The rest, as they say, is the beginning of history and a partnership that continues to this day.
A few years on, Federer has become an ambassador for Dubai and the owner of the penthouse at Le Reve (“dream” in French), an extraordinary luxury address in Dubai’s marina area.
Roger Federer (left) with Argentine football legend Diego Maradona in Dubai. — KT file
It is conceivable that after retiring from the sport on Thursday, the world’s highest-paid sports star will likely be on the mat with his wife Mirka and twins, 12-year-old girls Mila and Charlene. a lot of time. Boys Leo and Lenny, 7, watch the sea sway and the sun set from the comfort of his Dh55 million home.
If they want to do some exotic Federer, Mirka and the kids, they can take a helicopter ride with the luxury building’s 24-hour concierge service at the push of a button.
He’ll also have plenty of time to reflect on his career, not just the sum of its parts.
Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin and his wife Breeda have known Federer for years and forged an enviable bond that ties the family together, paying tribute to the legend in his retirement Cali era.
Roger Federer in the Mercedes garage during the 2016 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. — KT file
“Roger Federer has been one of Dubai’s greatest ambassadors, especially Dubai Duty Free and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,” he said.
“We have a long and special relationship with Roger, who has made 14 appearances from his debut in 2002 to his final appearance in 2019, where he won his eight Dubai titles and marked his career 100th career title.
“It has been an absolute privilege to have Roger, affectionately known as the goat, the greatest player of all time, and of course whenever he plays here there is a very special vibe because he is deeply loved here. Love, that’s what we’ll all miss,” he added.
“We want to thank him for everything he has done for the game and wish him well for the rest of the year and beyond.”
Serbian Novak Djokovic and Tunisian Malik Jaziri display the Roger Federer Get Well soon banner during their match in Dubai in 2016. – KT file
McLaughlin could have been a voice for the hundreds of Federer fans in the UAE who missed witnessing the winning culture that elevated him above his peers and saw him rewrite records in Dubai – from most titles (8 ), most finals (10), most consecutive championships (three) and most consecutive finals (five).
Beginning with his 2002 failure, where he even risked losing his bonus for “not trying,” Federer’s love for Dubai grew as his star began to soar year by year.
Even though he’s not at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Federer is known for offseason training in Dubai, where he plays with friends at the secluded One And Only Royal Mirage luxury resort.
Roger Federer fans during their match against Benoit Paley in Dubai in 2017. – KT file
No crowds, no paparazzi, no autograph seekers, just the quiet that athletes seek as they prepare for their next game.
In Dubai, Federer’s ability to train smarter and harder has been the key to his success. It is well documented that the winners did not rely on luck to get to where they are now, but the countless hours they put behind the scenes that helped them reach great heights.
The Swiss superstar has spoken of his special connection with the Emirates, saying: “Dubai is the perfect platform for me to train in peace during the season. It’s also a retreat to recharge your energy. Max The advantage is my anonymity here.”
Roger Federer (left) and U.S. tennis legend Andre Agassi prepare for a friendly ” hit the ball”. – AFP document
But there were moments of extreme thrill, like in 2005, when he took on former American rival Andre Agassi on the helipad of the seven-star Burj Al Arab.
Roger Federer’s friendly ‘hit’ on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab. — AFP document
“The city’s growth has been incredible,” Federer said.
Dubai shares many similarities with the city he calls his home away from home. They all exemplify perseverance and share a common bond of hard work to achieve an end goal and constant effort to achieve that goal.
For Federer, it’s time to relax and enjoy his retirement as Dubai continues to grow around him.
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