Stan Wawrinka received a special boost from the stands at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, as none other than Roger Federer was there to cheer him on during his first-round match against Benjamin Hassan.
Federer, an eight-time champion in Dubai, made his presence known throughout the day, ultimately settling in to watch Wawrinka clinch a 7-5, 6-3 victory. It's always a treat to see Federer back in the tennis scene, lending his support to his fellow Swiss star.
Earlier this year, Federer was also spotted at the Australian Open, sharing a moment with the legendary Rod Laver and snapping a selfie with WTA world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka after her impressive first-round win.
As Wawrinka continues his farewell tour, he’s proving that he still has plenty left in the tank. The 40-year-old has been in fine form, making it to the third round of the Australian Open and securing wins in both Montpellier and Rotterdam.
Reflecting on his career in Melbourne, Wawrinka expressed his gratitude to the fans, saying, “The reason why I was still playing was because of you, because of the love of the game and the emotions you can give me. I’m sad to leave but it’s been an amazing journey.”
In Dubai, Wawrinka, a wild card entry, may soon face a formidable challenge against former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, who is set to play against China’s Shang Jungcheng next. It’s shaping up to be an exciting tournament, and with Federer in the mix, the atmosphere is electric.