Dubai: Roger Federer wants to use Bencic template
The Swiss Festival could continue for a while in Dubai.
by Jörg Allmeroth from Dubai
last edit: Feb 24, 2019, 09:07 pm
At some point in the past few months, Belinda Bencic had made a bet with the Bencic team, with father Ivan and friend and fitness coach Martin Hromkovic. If Bencic landed the next tournament victory, they would all go on a skydiving adventure together, a tandem skydive.
Now that Bencic had suddenly and unexpectedly ascended to the desert queen of Dubai, it should have been so far: "I would like to take it immediately, it would be a huge experience for me," said the 21-year-old in the first exuberance their cup coup.
But then in the morning after the fairytale cup coup it didn't work out with the jump over the metropolis on the Gulf, into the air and even higher than on the Center Court, Bencic had to swing up somewhere else - and then her accompanying team also gently but firmly Convince: “A parachute jump has been on my to-do list for a long time, I definitely want to do that. Sooner rather than later, ”says Bencic.
What would be pure fun for the new number 23 in the WTA world rankings, would rather not be subject to amusement tax for partner Hromkovic: the former football professional suffers from fear of heights.
Roger Federer wants to win 100th title
After Bencic's triumphal march, the Swiss tennis festival could continue in the "The Day After Tomorrow" of the United Arab Emirates: At the men's tournament, Roger Federer is chasing his 100th career title and eighth cup win in the city, in which he contests large parts of his annual training program.
Federer won the Duty Free Championships for the first time sixteen years ago, against the Czech Jiri Novak. In the semifinals, he overcame his current coach Ivan Ljubicic.
Federer meets Philipp Kohlschreiber, his regular training partner, in the first round of the 2019 tournament. The previous record leaves nothing to be desired in terms of clarity: Federer goes into the duel with 13-0 victories. It is also his first appearance since the eighth final at Melbourne against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. Tsitsipas will also hit a strong field in Dubai.
Federer has now become one of the most prominent well-wishers for Bencic, who had opened the season with him at the Hopman Cup in Perth. At that time, the two Swiss won the final against Germany (Angelique Kerber / Alexander Zverev) in a last minute decision with the very last point in a special match tie break. “I hope that I can use Belinda's template here,” said Federer, “I'm really happy for her. It's nice that she has returned to this top level. ”