• Roger Federer's greatest success on clay came in 2009 when he won the French Open. Getty
    Roger Federer's greatest success on clay came in 2009 when he won the French Open. Getty
  • Gustavo Kuerten 2002, Hamburg. Federer first hinted he could be a force on clay in 2002 by winning the Hamburg title. He beat Marat Safin in the final but it was his quarter-final victory over Gustavo Kuerten that really stood out. Kuerten was the defending French Open champion and had won three times at Roland Garros. But Federer went toe to toe with him in Hamburg and won 6-0, 1-6, 6-2. Reuters
    Gustavo Kuerten 2002, Hamburg. Federer first hinted he could be a force on clay in 2002 by winning the Hamburg title. He beat Marat Safin in the final but it was his quarter-final victory over Gustavo Kuerten that really stood out. Kuerten was the defending French Open champion and had won three times at Roland Garros. But Federer went toe to toe with him in Hamburg and won 6-0, 1-6, 6-2. Reuters
  • Carlos Moya 2005, French Open. Federer was still establishing himself on clay despite being No 1 in the rankings. But he showed again what he could do on the red stuff with an emphatic win over 1998 French Open winner Moya. He dropped just eight games to the Spaniard as he won their fourth-round match 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. AFP
    Carlos Moya 2005, French Open. Federer was still establishing himself on clay despite being No 1 in the rankings. But he showed again what he could do on the red stuff with an emphatic win over 1998 French Open winner Moya. He dropped just eight games to the Spaniard as he won their fourth-round match 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. AFP
  • Rafael Nadal 2007, Hamburg. Between April 2005 and May 2007 Nadal was invincible on clay. He had an astonishing winning streak of 81 games. But Federer ended that in the 2007 Hamburg final. He did not just beat the 17-time major winner that day, he hammered him. He lost only two games after losing the first set as he prevailed 2-6, 6-2, 6-0. Federer may not have a victory over Nadal to his name at the French Open but this is still a fine consolation. Reuters
    Rafael Nadal 2007, Hamburg. Between April 2005 and May 2007 Nadal was invincible on clay. He had an astonishing winning streak of 81 games. But Federer ended that in the 2007 Hamburg final. He did not just beat the 17-time major winner that day, he hammered him. He lost only two games after losing the first set as he prevailed 2-6, 6-2, 6-0. Federer may not have a victory over Nadal to his name at the French Open but this is still a fine consolation. Reuters
  • Juan Martin del Potro 2009, French Open. The pressure was on. Nadal was out of the French Open and the chance to finally win the major title eluding Federer was there to be taken. Only problem was he had the in-form Del Potro in the semi-final. This was a titanic clash and Federer had to dig deep to prevail. He twice came from a set down before triumphing 3-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4. Getty
    Juan Martin del Potro 2009, French Open. The pressure was on. Nadal was out of the French Open and the chance to finally win the major title eluding Federer was there to be taken. Only problem was he had the in-form Del Potro in the semi-final. This was a titanic clash and Federer had to dig deep to prevail. He twice came from a set down before triumphing 3-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4. Getty
  • Robin Soderling 2009, French Open. The most important win for Federer on clay as finally, having waited since September 2004, he completed his career grand slam by beating Soderling in the final at Roland Garros. It was a classic Federer performance. Start strong, stave off the second-set revival and then cruise through the decisive set as he won 6-1, 7-6, 6-4. AFP
    Robin Soderling 2009, French Open. The most important win for Federer on clay as finally, having waited since September 2004, he completed his career grand slam by beating Soderling in the final at Roland Garros. It was a classic Federer performance. Start strong, stave off the second-set revival and then cruise through the decisive set as he won 6-1, 7-6, 6-4. AFP
  • Novak Djokovic 2011, French Open. Djokovic was on sensational form in 2011, winning his first 43 games of the year. He looked a strong favourite to win the French Open but no-one had told Federer. The Swiss player put in one of his greatest performances as he shocked the Serbian with a 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 success. Getty
    Novak Djokovic 2011, French Open. Djokovic was on sensational form in 2011, winning his first 43 games of the year. He looked a strong favourite to win the French Open but no-one had told Federer. The Swiss player put in one of his greatest performances as he shocked the Serbian with a 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 success. Getty
  • Tomas Berdych 2012, Madrid. This victory stands out as being the last Masters title to date that Federer has won on clay. He overcame a slow start on this occasion to get the better of his Czech opponent with a 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory in the final in Madrid. AFP
    Tomas Berdych 2012, Madrid. This victory stands out as being the last Masters title to date that Federer has won on clay. He overcame a slow start on this occasion to get the better of his Czech opponent with a 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory in the final in Madrid. AFP
  • Gael Monfils 2015, French Open. It is four years this month since Federer last competed at the French Open. Federer proved he was still a more then capable competitor on clay in 2015 as he reached the quarter-finals. His best performance was in defeating Gael Monfils in the fourth round 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. AFP
    Gael Monfils 2015, French Open. It is four years this month since Federer last competed at the French Open. Federer proved he was still a more then capable competitor on clay in 2015 as he reached the quarter-finals. His best performance was in defeating Gael Monfils in the fourth round 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. AFP

Roger Federer's greatest wins on clay - in pictures


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For the first time in three years Roger Federer will compete on clay at an ATP Tour event when he plays in the Madrid Masters, which begins on May 6.

The 20-time major winner sidelined playing on the red surface in 2017 and 2018 to allow himself to rest and to also concentrate on playing on grass at Wimbledon.

But the 37 year old has changed tact this year and is back to play on clay.

It may not be his strongest surface but he still has achieved much on it in the past, including a French Open crown and six Masters titles.

Ahead of his return to court in Madrid, where he is a two-time champion, here is a look at some of his best wins on the red surface in the gallery above with matches against Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro and Gustavo Kuerten included on the list.

To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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If you go

Flying

Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.

 

Touring

Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com 

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
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Coming soon

Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura

When the W Dubai – The Palm hotel opens at the end of this year, one of the highlights will be Massimo Bottura’s new restaurant, Torno Subito, which promises “to take guests on a journey back to 1960s Italy”. It is the three Michelinstarred chef’s first venture in Dubai and should be every bit as ambitious as you would expect from the man whose restaurant in Italy, Osteria Francescana, was crowned number one in this year’s list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Akira Back Dubai

Another exciting opening at the W Dubai – The Palm hotel is South Korean chef Akira Back’s new restaurant, which will continue to showcase some of the finest Asian food in the world. Back, whose Seoul restaurant, Dosa, won a Michelin star last year, describes his menu as,  “an innovative Japanese cuisine prepared with a Korean accent”.

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

The highly experimental chef, whose dishes are as much about spectacle as taste, opens his first restaurant in Dubai next year. Housed at The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will feature contemporary twists on recipes that date back to the 1300s, including goats’ milk cheesecake. Always remember with a Blumenthal dish: nothing is quite as it seems. 

Bundesliga fixtures

Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 

RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm) 

Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm) 

Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn  (4.30pm) 

Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm) 

Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)

Sunday, May 17

Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),

Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)

Monday, May 18

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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