Roger Federer returns to the desert kingdom in Dubai, where it was all right | ATP tour | Tennis

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Federer returns to the desert kingdom in Dubai, where it all made sense

The Swiss legend won eight titles in Dubai, including his 100th tour-level crown in 2019
February 24, 2026

Roger Federer and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships have long been intertwined and on Monday the record eight-time champion was back at the place where much of his history was written.

No player has shaped the hard-court event quite like the Swiss maestro, whose blend of elegance and sustained excellence has made Dubai one of the defining stops of his career. The former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings first lifted the trophy in 2003, a breakthrough season that preceded his rise to the top of the sport.

The aura 😮‍💨@rogerfederer @DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/eTqlHMSvrp

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Federer would add seven more titles in Dubai and during his performances he amassed a record of 53-6, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. The event became a regular early-season barometer for his form and a place where title runs often foreshadowed greater achievements later in the year.

As he returned to the ATP 500 tournament on Monday, Federer watched from the stands as his compatriot Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 champion, battled past Benjamin Hassan. After the match, Hassan enjoyed his own brush with grandeur as he met the Swiss legend.

“I never wash my hands anymore,” Hassan joked, grinning after shaking hands with the 20-time champion.

It was in Dubai in 2019 that Federer wrote one of the most meaningful milestones of his career. By defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas for the title, he captured his 100th tour-level crown, becoming only the second man in the Open Era to reach the century milestone. Only Jimmy Connors (109) had previously achieved this, and Novak Djokovic has since joined the exclusive club with 101 titles.

That win cemented Federer’s place in the ATP No. 1 Club history even more. He spent a record 310 weeks at world number 1, including 237 consecutive weeks – a reign that overlapped with three of his triumphs in Dubai. In many ways, the tournament reflected his career: early breakthrough, continued dominance and late career milestone.

Dubai also became more than a tournament stop for Federer. Over the years he regularly based himself in the city during the off-season, taking advantage of the training facilities and warm weather conditions as he prepared for new campaigns. Familiarity created comfort, and comfort created success. Federer’s victories in Dubai also span generations: from his first title at the age of 21 to his 100th crown at the age of 37.

Now the 40-year-old Wawrinka, who shared a post-match chat with Federer, is one of five former champions in the 2026 field, alongside Tsitsipas, Ugo Humbert, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev.