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The UAE has been inundated with big name tennis stars this week thanks to the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, which took place in Abu Dhabi. Although Roger Federer wasn't playing in the tournament, that has not stopped him hanging out in the emirates.
The Swiss tennis player was spotted at Avli by Tashas, a chic Greek restaurant in Dubai's DIFC.
"Great having this true gentleman back at Avli by Tashas! The one and only Mr Roger Federer," chef Mateus Coelho wrote on Instagram, posting a photo of the sportsman with the team of kitchen staff.
Roger Federer is no stranger to the UAE, he is even said to own a home in the prestigious Le Reve tower in Dubai Marina.
It is not unusual for residents of the Marina to spy the tennis star out and about. He has been seen at Turkish restaurant Ruya's Friday brunch and has, of course, been given the #SaltBae treatment at Nusr-Et.
Federer clearly likes to support homegrown brands, as well as being spotted at Ruya and Avlii, he also visited Indego by Vineet in Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina a few years ago:
Starstruck by this tennis legend.Humble,easy going & down to earth
— Vineet Bhatia (@TheVineetBhatia) November 29, 2016
Thank you @rogerfederer for dining #indego @GrosvenorHouse U made our day pic.twitter.com/rTzEjMVcqa
He also took this snap at the Armani Hotel back in 2014, at what is likely the hotel's excellent Indian restaurant Armani/Amal (judging by the angle of the Burj):
I feel like an ant #tiny pic.twitter.com/Sa2bI5wN5l
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) December 1, 2014
Avli is the new celebrity favourite
Avli attracts a regular celebrity clientele, sportspeople in particular. Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah was spotted at the eatery back in October and former professional tennis player Boris Becker dined there in April.
Its popularity is certainly not limited to athletes, however.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, dined at Avli by Tashas in February this year, at the time of the restaurant's opening, and actor Cuba Gooding Jr visited in March.
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