Roger Federer and Andre Agassi were the stars of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in 2005, entering the draw as the 1st and 4th seeds. On February 22, the organizers invited Federer and Agassi to exchange a few balls on a slightly different tennis court placed on the helipad of the super luxurious Burj Al Arab hotel, more than 200 meters above sea level!
Roger and Andre enjoyed a friendly strike on a grass pitch for 20 minutes, firing a few balls from 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 season-opening tournament and reaching the semi-final of the Australian Open, world number one Federer conquered Rotterdam and immediately traveled to Dubai.
The Swiss couldn’t easily pass indoor conditions, struggling to find the rhythm in the opening games against Ivo Minar and Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Swiss saved two match points against the Spaniard for a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 win.
After two narrow wins, Federer beat Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 7-5 in an hour and 13 minutes to build momentum ahead of Andre Agassi’s expected clash.
Roger Federer and Andre Agassi:
Roger Federer and Andre Agassi enjoyed the Burj Al Arab hotel helipad in 2005.
Roger needed just 52 minutes to oust the American veteran 6-3, 6-1, repelling all three break chances and providing four breaks to control the scoreboard and advance in the title clash.
In the battle for the trophy, Roger beat current manager Ivan Ljubicic 6-1, 6-7, 6-3 to claim the third consecutive crown in Dubai. “It was an absolutely amazing experience.
When you realize how high you are and start playing, it’s an absolute joy and it was a great moment. I had no problem with the height as long as I didn’t have to bungee jump off the side,” Andre Agassi said.
“The view is absolutely amazing here, and it was very different when I was asked to do it as I had no idea what to expect. I have been to Dubai many times and stayed at the Burj Al Arab before, but it was a real treat.
Playing tennis with André on top of such an amazing hotel and overlooking all of Dubai was absolutely spectacular,” said Roger Federer.
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