Roger Federer and Andre Agassi were the main stars of the draw for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2005 and started as 1st and 4th seed. On February 22nd, the organizers invited Federer and Agassi to exchange a few balls on a slightly different tennis court on the helipad of the super luxurious Burj Al Arab Hotel, more than 200 meters above sea level!
Roger and Andre had a friendly game on a grass pitch for 20 minutes and shot some balls off the edge of this fantastic landscape. Seven years later, Roger had the opportunity to do the same against Novak Djokovic.
After winning the Doha title in the opening tournament of the season and reaching the Australian Open semifinals, Federer, the world’s number 1, conquered Rotterdam and immediately traveled to Dubai. The Swiss couldn’t quickly switch from the indoor conditions and had difficulty finding the rhythm in the opening games against Ivo Minar and Juan Carlos Ferrero, who had two match points in a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 win .
After two narrow victories, Federer defeated Mikhail Youzhny in an hour and 13 minutes 6: 3, 7: 5 to gain momentum before the expected clash of Andre Agassi.
Federer and Agassi enjoyed the Burj Al Arab Hotel helipad in 2005
It only took Roger 52 minutes to oust the veteran 6: 3, 6: 1.
He fended off all three breaks and delivered four breaks to control the scoreboard and advance into the title fight. In the trophy battle, Roger defeated his current coach Ivan Ljubicic 6: 1, 6: 7, 6: 3 and took the third crown in a row in Dubai.
“That was an absolutely amazing experience. The first time you get over how tall you are and start playing, it’s an absolute joy and it’s been a great time. I haven’t had any height issues as long as I’m not off a bongee had to jump, “said Andre Agassi.
“The view is absolutely fantastic here and it was very different when I was asked because I didn’t know what to expect. I have been to Dubai many times and have been to the Burj Al Arab, but it was an absolute delight .
Playing tennis with Andre at such a fantastic hotel and overlooking the whole of Dubai was absolutely spectacular, “said Roger Federer.
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