ROGER FEDERER AND ANDY MURRAY HEADLINE THE DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS ALONG WITH STAN WAWRINKA, GAEL MONFILS

Written by: Staff on 25th February 2017

ROGER FEDERER AND ANDY MURRAY HEADLINE THE DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS ALONG WITH STAN WAWRINKA, GAEL MONFILS

epaselect epa05758515 Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Rafael Nadal of Spain during the finals of the Men's Singles at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 29 January 2017. EPA/LUKAS COCH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

By Ricky Dimon

Roger Federer will be back in action for the first time since winning last month’s Australian Open when he takes the court at the upcoming Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. With world No. 1 Andy Murray and third-ranked Stan Wawrinka also in the field, Federer is the No. 3 seed.

A seven-time champion in Dubai, the 35-year-old Swiss is 47-5 lifetime at the event and 10-0 in his last 10 matches (titles in 2014 and 2015). Federer and Murray helped get the 2017 festivities–which mark the 25th anniversary of this tournament–underway with a friendly beach tennis match in front of the iconic Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Al Naseem hotels.

“I’m looking forward to playing, especially on the anniversary of 25 years here in Dubai,” Federer commented. “It’s nice to be part of a tournament celebrating something. I’ve had some great years here in Dubai. I wanted to be in good shape and ready for the conditions so I came early this year.

The players like this tournament so much; it’s well-organized and well-run with good crowds. With the hotel and everything on site, it’s so convenient. Today was a nice way to start the celebration of 25 years. Now I can’t wait for the tournament to start.”

Federer will face Benoit Paire in the first round, while Murray’s opener will come against Malek Jaziri.

“It was good fun today playing on the beach,” the top-seeded Scot said. “I’ve never done that and the sun came out for us so that was a good start to the day. I enjoy coming to Dubai. I’ve played here a number of years. I feel refreshed and looking forward to competing again.”

Murray has not played since falling to Mischa Zverev in the Australian Open fourth round. He is searching for his first title in 2017, having also lost to Novak Djokovic in the Doha final.