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The Swiss maestro, who has won 20 Grand Slam titles, has a special relationship with the UAE, which he calls his home away from home
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Roger Federer during the Dubai Tennis Championships. — Reuters file
That was 2002. There is buzz, excitement and energy as the Aero Club prepares to host the annual Dubai Tennis Championships.
Everyone is talking about a 20-year-old prodigy from Basel, Switzerland who is considered one of the sport’s rising stars.
Roger Federer won his 100th career title at the Dubai Tennis Championships. — AFP file
But they were quickly disappointed. Roger Federer, who finished sixth in the doubles event in Rotterdam, beat Romanian Adrian Warnia in the first round before falling to Germany’s Rainer Schuettler in straight sets, Didn’t even look like they were fighting.
It was a huge disappointment for organizers and Dubai’s burgeoning tennis fan base.
Roger Federer (third from right) with Colm McLaughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free. – Photos provided
However, Federer came back to come back the following year to defeat Czechoslovakia’s Jiri Novak and claim the first of his epic eight titles at the Emirates, which brought his comeuppance.
“It was a very surreal story,” Federer said of his failed start in Dubai. “But back then I didn’t want to laugh. 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.
Fast-forward a few years, and Federer has become an ambassador for Dubai, as well as the owner of the penthouse at Le Reve (meaning “dream” in French), a remarkable luxury residence in Dubai Marina.
Roger Federer, left, with Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona in Dubai. — KT file
The world’s highest-paid sports star could conceivably be spending time on the mat with his wife Mirka and twins Myra and Charlene, 12, following his retirement from the sport on Thursday. A lot of time. Seven-year-old boy Leo and Lenny watch the waves crash and the sunset from the comfort of his Dh55 million home.
If they want to do something exotic, Federer, Mirka and the kids can take a helicopter ride at the push of a button through the luxury building’s 24-hour concierge.
He will also have ample time to reflect on his career, which is more than the sum of its parts.
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, and his wife Breeda, who have known Federer for many years and developed an enviable bond that binds the family together, paid tribute to the legend in an exclusive address following his retirement pay tribute harrij times.
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 the greatest ambassadors for Dubai, Dubai Duty Free and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,” he said.
“We have a long and special relationship with Roger, who made 14 appearances from his debut in 2002 to his final appearance in 2019, where he won his eight Dubai Championship titles and marked the beginning of his career. 100th career title.
“It has been an absolute joy 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 atmosphere because he is here Much loved, that’s what we’re all going to miss,” he added.
“We want to thank him for everything he has done for the game and wish him the best of luck for the rest of the year and beyond.”
A Roger Federer Get Well soon banner is displayed during the match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Malik Jaziri of Tunisia in Dubai in 2016. – KT file
McLaughlin could have spoken for the hundreds of Federer fans in the UAE who missed out on witnessing the winning culture that lifted him above his peers and saw him rewrite records in Dubai – from most titles (8) , Most Finals (10), Most Consecutive Championships (3) and Most Consecutive Finals (5).
From his 2002 defeat, in which he risked even losing his prize money for “not trying hard,” Federer’s love of Dubai grew as his star began to soar each year.
Even when he’s not at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Federer is known to spend his offseason training in Dubai, where he plays with friends at the secluded One And Only Royal Mirage luxury resort.
Fans at Roger Federer’s match against Benoit Pell in Dubai in 2017. – KT file
There are no crowds, no paparazzi, no signers, just the quiet that athletes seek as they prepare for their next game.
In Dubai, Federer was able to train smarter and harder, which became the key to his success. It’s been well documented that it wasn’t luck that the winners got to where they are, but the countless hours they put in behind the scenes that helped them reach great heights.
The Swiss great has spoken of his special relationship with the Emirates, saying: “Dubai is the perfect platform for me to train quietly during the season. It’s also a retreat to recharge your energy. The best thing is that I’m here Can be anonymous.”
Roger Federer (left) and US tennis legend Andre Agassi prepare for a match on the world’s most exclusive tennis court – the helipad of the Burj Al Arab – the world’s most luxurious hotel in 2005 friendly match. — AFP file
But there have also been moments of extreme emotion, such as his 2005 match against former American rival Andre Agassi on the helipad of the seven-star Burj Al Arab.
Roger Federer performs a friendly ‘hit’ on the helipad at the Burj Al Arab. — AFP file
“The growth of this city has been unbelievable,” Federer said.
There are many similarities between Dubai and the city he calls his home away from home. They both exemplify perseverance and share a common effort in planning the ultimate goal and in their tireless efforts to achieve it.
For Federer, with Dubai growing around him, now is the time to relax and enjoy retirement.
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