Karen Khachanov exuded confidence after a solid start at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The ATP 500 event feels like a home tournament for the former world No. 8, who has called Dubai home since 2016, like many players who’ve settled in the city over the years.
“I’ve been living here since 2016,” he shared after his 6-1, 6-3 victory over Dan Evans. “It was even longer before many players started coming here. Roger [Federer] was one of the first to train here, especially in December. He even came in July, which was surprising because it’s tough to train during the day in those conditions. He wanted to challenge himself. We talked before the U.S. swing, and I’ve never tried that, to be honest.”
Khachanov added, “Almost everyone is here. The conditions and facilities are perfect for training.”
The two-time Grand Slam semifinalist spent the off-season in Dubai after finishing the 2024 season strong, with back-to-back finals appearances in Almaty and Vienna—winning the former—and reaching the semifinals at the Rolex Paris Masters. However, the late-season surge came too late for qualification for the Nitto ATP Finals, where he was an alternate in 2018.
“I really enjoyed myself out there, winning matches. I actually wanted the season to continue!” said the 28-year-old with a smile. “I didn’t qualify for the Finals, but if I had, I think I would have been a dangerous player there.”
Ending the season ranked No. 15, Khachanov aimed to carry his momentum through the off-season but faced a three-match losing streak after reaching the third round of the Australian Open, snapping the streak with his victory over Evans.
“I’m always believing in myself. I always fight out there. I’m confident, let’s say,” Khachanov stated, adding, “I just want to play as many matches as possible to find my rhythm and level.”
Khachanov, who nearly had a breakthrough week at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, losing to Daniil Medvedev, reflected on the tough match, saying, “It was unfortunate I was playing Daniil. It was a tough match for both of us. He would’ve preferred to play someone else, and I would’ve too. With that level, I could’ve gone further.”
Looking to maximize his chances for match play, Khachanov also entered the men’s doubles with his good friend Andrey Rublev. His next singles test is likely to come against either Lorenzo Sonego or No. 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. Despite any lingering rust, the unseeded Russian remains confident.
“I always believe in myself. I always go out there to fight,” he said bluntly. “I’m confident, let’s see who wins. I can’t predict it, and neither can my opponent. That’s the approach I have.”