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Roger Federer at centre of new 'favouritism' controversy

Yahoo Sport Australia

New claims of preferential treatment have hit Roger Federer after a tournament director’s comments to promote the Dubai Tennis Championships later this month.

Federer will be the No.1 seed at the UAE tournament in his first appearance since a fourth-round defeat at the Australian Open.

Now sitting sixth in the world rankings, the 37-year-old has already signalled a shift in his priorities ahead of what is without question the final chapters of his career.

But he is still bound for history.

Federer currently sits on 99 titles on the singles tour, including his record 20 majors, and is looking to become just the second man – after Jimmy Connors – to reach triple figures.

Having missed out in Paris, London and now Melbourne since winning his 99th trophy in Basel last October, Dubai is the Swiss great’s next chance for his 100th.

If tournament director Salah Tahlak gets his wish, Federer will be handed the easiest possible path to the monumental title.

“For Roger, Dubai is important because his first official title came in Milan. It was a tournament owned by Dubai Duty Free,” Tahlak told the Khaleej Times.

Roger Federer is still chasing a history-making 100th title. Pic: Getty
Roger Federer is still chasing a history-making 100th title. Pic: Getty

“It has always been a great bond between Roger and Dubai. So it’s very important to have him back.

“I hope the draw next Saturday will help him because if he reaches the final and wins it, it will be the number eight title for him in Dubai and that will also be the 100th title of his career.

“It will be a magical moment. It will also be a great legacy that he will be leaving behind if he wins his 100th title in Dubai.”

The comments come on the back of numerous accusations levelled at Federer and the likes of Tennis Australia.

In November, French tennis player Julien Benneteau was the latest to suggest Federer has been helped by tournament directors along the way.

Against that backdrop, tennis fans did not respond kindly to Tahlak’s comments:

Others declared Tahlak only said what every tournament would say.

That is, they want the result that sells the most tickets and grabs the most attention.

For Dubai, that would just happen to mean Federer wins his 100th title there.

The tournament director’s hope that Federer gets an easy passage is weakened by the field set to take part.

Other top players in the Dubai draw include world No.7 Kei Nishikori, 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic and Australian Open quarter-finalist Milos Raonic.

Perhaps most intriguing presence on the entry list is that of Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 20-year-old who knocked Federer out of the Australian Open.