Federer ready to ‘ride the wave’ in Dubai

Roger Federer wants to keep ‘riding the wave’ at all the way to another title in Dubai this week. The 35 year old, who secured an historic 18th Major at January’s Australian Open, is gunning for a record eighth Dubai crown, having won the event in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2014 and 2015.

“Dare to dream, why not?” Federer said as he prepared for the tournament. “I take it one at a time. This one has been so amazing and I’m still riding the wave.

“It’s going to take me some time, until probably April, to feel my best because then I would’ve played best-of-five matches in Australia, back-to-back matches in Dubai and maybe some in Indian Wells and Miami. Then after Miami I would really know where I’m at.”

At the moment Federer is scheduled to play in Dubai this week, followed by Indian Wells and Miami. However, in recent years the Swiss star has chosen to forego Miami after playing at Indian Wells.

“I still feel like maybe it’s still some work in progress for me,” Federer went on. “Just getting to understand how the body is going to react, how much load the body can take. It’s definitely a little bit of the unknown.”

Federer will play Benoit Paire in the opening round of the tournament, and is in the same half of the draw as world No.1 Andy Murray.