Federer rubs shoulders with sheiks as Stan wins in Dubai

Roger Federer returned to the site of his eight Dubai titles, with the now-retired Swiss sitting with local dignitaries as Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka reached the second round on Monday 7-5, 6-3 over wild card Benjamin Hassan.

The Swiss who turns 41 next month, won the Gulf title in 2016 while No. 299 Hassan was playing only his eighth match at the Tour level; his last was a Roland Garros first-round loss last May.

Federer retired in September 2022, but remains active in management at his Laver Cup. He also owns a home in the emirate and is treated like sporting royalty in Dubai.

Wawrinka said he knew that his iconic countryman would be watching.

https://www.atptour.com/en/video/federer-in-the-house-to-watch-countryman-wawrinka-in-dubai-2026

Video courtesy ATPTour.com

“Roger will always be a legend of the sport,” Wawrinka said. “We have so many memories together.

“I knew he was coming (to the match), so that was just extra pressure.”

The pair greeted each other on the player lawns at the Aviation club later as fans viewing behind a fence went wild 

Wawrinka is playing the 500-series event for the first time in nine years; he is the oldest man to win a match here since the event began more than three decades ago.

The player who won Olympic doubles gold in 2008 with Fedefrer earned a late break in the opening set to seize the lead and saved two break points for 5-2 before dismissing Hassan.

The three-time Grand Slam champion who will wrap up his career at the end of this season, is playing as a wild card entry, like Lebanon’s Hussan.

“I found a way to win, I’m happy with this performance,” Wawrinka said, adding that he feels 2026 is the right time to finally quit the game.

“Things have to end, I can;t play forever, I’m still playing well but I know this is the right thing to do.

“It’s getting tough to stay at this level at this age. I’m happy with my game and how I’m playing. I will keep pushing forward.”

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