Injured Federer hopes to play in Dubai

Federer enjoys a phenomenal record in Dubai with seven singles titles

Roger Federer fans in the UAE have finally got something to smile about. Well, your favourite tennis superstar may have missed out on the US Open and the rest of the season due to a knee injury, but you would see him action in a few months' time in Dubai.
Yes, the 17-time Grand Slam champion has announced that he will be back next season and that the Dubai Tennis Championships (February, 2017) will be one of the many tournaments he will be playing in.
"Yeah, my plan for 2017 is to play the Hopman Cup, Australian Open and Dubai and then, of course, there's going to be a lot of more things coming after that," the Swiss maestro was quoted as saying by ATP Media.
Federer enjoys a phenomenal record in Dubai with seven singles titles (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2014, 2015) and he has played quite a part in making it best 500 Series ATP tournament in the world.
In fact, his first victory in Dubai (2003) came even before he won the first of his 17 Grand Slam titles.

"The Dubai tournament holds a special place in my heart. I have seen this tournament grow into something very beautiful. I feel very happy that I have been a part of this great success story," Federer had told local reporters in Dubai few years ago.
The 35-year-old star also poured cold waters on retirement talks during the interview with ATP website.
"I have all of 2017 pretty much mapped out. I know which tournaments I would like to play. 2018, obviously that's too far away. I have to see how the body is going to cope with all the matches again," he said.
"That's why this preparation over these four, five, six months is really key. I believe I can become super strong because I never have six months - usually I only have a month here, sometimes six weeks, sometimes only three weeks. 
"So I have a lot to work with right now and I hope to make myself so strong that I have the best chance to play for many more years to come on Tour!"