Roger Federer trains with Roland Garros junior champion in Dubai

Saturday, 16 January 2021 at 12:15

The 20-time Major champion Roger Federer has been training in Dubai for the last month, shaping his game and hoping to hit the court again at some point in March.

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As many times before, Federer invited a promising junior to train with him, with the Roland Garros boys champion Dominic Stricker getting the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest players ever. Last October, Stricker defeated Leandro Riedi in an all-Swiss final in Paris, becoming the first Swiss player with the Roland Garros junior crown since Stan Wawrinka in 2003.

Federer hasn't played since the last year's Australian Open, struggling with a right knee injury and experiencing two surgeries in February and May. After the second, the Swiss decided to wrap up the season and focus on 2021, hitting the court again in October and heading to Dubai in December for more preparations.

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Roger had to withdraw from the Australian Open that starts on February 8 and remain on the practice court before that long-awaited return in Rotterdam, Doha or Dubai. Turning 40 in August, Federer is still eager to get back at his best and fight for notable titles at least for a year or two if everything goes right with his knee.