Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals what he ‘wishes’ he could’ve done when playing Roger Federer in Dubai six years ago

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Stefanos Tsitsipas is preparing to compete in his third Dubai Tennis Championships final.

After struggling so far this year on the ATP Tour, things are finally looking up for the world number eleven.

The Greek star picked up just his fifth win of the season against Lorenzo Sonego in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships, to kick off the best week of his 2025 campaign.

Tsitsipas then beat Karen Khachanov to advance to the quarter-finals, where he took down Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in three sets, 7-6, 1-6, 6-4.

A win over Tallon Griekspoor in the semis booked his spot in the final, where Tsitsipas will take on Felix Auger-Aliassime.

It will be the third time Tsitsipas has appeared in the Dubai final, having done so previously in 2019, and 2020.

Looking to pick up the trophy for the first time, the 26-year-old has reflected on his first trip to the Dubai final, six years ago.

Stefanos Tsitsipas ‘wishes’ he played better against Roger Federer in the 2019 Dubai final

Legendary Swiss star Roger Federer was searching for his 100th career ATP title at the Dubai Tennis Championships in 2019.

After battling through deciding sets in his opening two rounds, Federer grew into the competition as he qualified for the final without too much trouble.

There he faced off against Tsitsipas, who was competing in just his fifth tour-level final, as a 20-year-old.

The 20-time Major champion proved too much for the young Greek star in Dubai, as he won in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

Looking back at his two Dubai final defeats, Tsitsipas admitted his loss to Federer was the most memorable, as he now reveals how he felt during the match.

“I feel like one was a bit more historic than the other, playing Roger [Federer] for his 100th career title was kind of iconic and I got to be a part of it,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say I was a fan boy at the time but it felt good to be a part of a final like that.

“I won’t lie that I felt a little bit stressed, because I felt responsible whether he’s going to clinch it or not, so yeah it wasn’t a great fight or battle from my side.

“I wish I would’ve played a little bit better and done things a bit different, but it definitely lives in my mind as a great memory, and a great final that I got to experience with one of the greats of the sport.”

Federer and Tsitsipas played twice more in 2019, as the pair couldn’t be separated over their four career meetings.

• 2019 ATP Finals (SF) – Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Roger Federer
• 2019 Basel Open (SF) – Roger Federer beat Stefanos Tsitsipas
• 2019 Dubai Tennis Championships (F) – Roger Federer beat Stefanos Tsitsipas
• 2019 Australian Open (4R) Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Roger Federer

Stefanos Tsitsipas’ 2020 Dubai Tennis Championships performance

Tsitsipas returned to the final one year later as he looked to get his hands on the trophy at the second time of asking.

Facing off against another legend in the final, Tsitsipas took on number one seed, and four-time champion Novak Djokovic.

Again, Tsitsipas struggled to compete as his Serbian counterpart dominated from the off, securing the win in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.

The Greek chose not to return to Dubai in 2021, 2022, 2023, or 2024, as he reached his third ‘consecutive’ final this year.

Taking on Auger-Aliassime, who he has beaten six times in the past, Tsitsipas will be confident of finally picking up a first ATP 500 title.

11-times a losing finalist at the level, the Greek star has one of the worst records in tour history at ATP 500 finals, as he looks to make history against the Canadian.

Tsitsipas will play Auger-Aliassime in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday, March 1.