Grigor Dimitrov replaces Roger Federer as top seed in Dubai Championship

02/24/2018

Grigor Dimitrov has replaced Roger Federer as the no.1 seed in the Dubai Championship after the Swiss ace decided to pull out of the event to prepare for title defences in the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami. Dimitrov is set to face Tunisia’s Melek Jaziri in the first round on Monday.

The Bulgarian World number 4 ended 2017's season-ending ATP Finals on a high note by defeating Belgium's David Goffin 7–5, 4–6, 6–3 in the final. However, he couldn't continue his winning streak into the new year as he lost to Kyle Edmund in the quarter-final of Australian Open and then to Roger Federer in the Rotterdam final last week.

However, now with Federer pulling out of the Dubai Tennis Championships, Dimitrov has emerged as the top seed in the tournament. Reports from AFP also stated that Federer had informed the organizers that he would skip the tournament and head to US next week to start preparations for his title defenses at the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami.

“I believe whatever’s good for him is good for us. You can’t really push him more,” said Dubai tournament director Salah Tahlak.

“Had he not won in Rotterdam he would have definitely come here. I really respect him, as a professional and as an athlete.He’s so classy and has done well for the game, has done well for Dubai. He’s a legend,” Federer further added.

With Federer out of the Dubai Championship, the seedings for the men’s round led by Grigor Dimitrov is followed by Lucas Pouille, Robert Bautista Agut, Damir Dzumhur and Richard Gasquet.

Dimitrov will face Tunisia’s Melek Jaziri in the first match of the Championship starting on Monday.