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Although it was “brutally hot” the first time he visited, Roger Federer bought a home in Dubai soon after because he quickly realised that the emirate “worked well for practice and leisure”.
While the 37-year-old has a home in Switzerland, he also owns an apartment in Dubai, where he spend the autumn and winter months. In a recent interview with Tennis World, he revealed when and why he decided to move to the city. "[I] came on vacation I think back in 2004. And then when I came on the way back from Bangkok when I beat (Andy) Roddick, I think, in the finals there, I came through Dubai. Met up with Tony Roche for a practice session, sort of an undercover operation. I thought it was a direct flight for him, and let's meet here and do a few days together," he explains.
He also shares his initial thoughts about the city. “I remember it was brutally hot, I think like 39 degrees every day. Had a good time practicing. It was peace and quiet and I kind of enjoyed it here. I think I came back one more time for vacation and practiced some more,” he says. “I was like, I think this works well for practice and leisure. The next thing I knew, I had an apartment. It all happened quite quickly, to be honest. It was funny how it all worked out.”
Federer went on to win the The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships a record seven times, so clearly the move worked for him.
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