[thumb=H]dubai_helipad12772_8671039.JPG[/thumb]
Dubai, UAE: World No. 1 Roger Federer and former No. 1 Andre Agassi took tennis to new heights on Tuesday, ascending nearly 700 feet (over 320 meters) to play a friendly match on the helipad at the luxurious Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.
“This was an absolutely amazing experience,” Agassi said. “When you first get over how high you are and start playing it’s an absolute joy and it was a great time. I had no issues with the height as long as I didn’t have to bungee jump off the side.”
The hotel’s grass helipad, which is situated 692 feet (211 meters) high covers a surface area of 1,361 square feet (415 sq meters), was converted into a tennis court for the two players. Standing 1,053 feet (321 meters) high on a man-made island, the majestic Burj Al Arab is one of the most recognizable hotels in the world.
“The view is absolutely amazing here and it was very different when I was asked to do this as I didn’t know what to expect,” Federer said. “I have been in Dubai many times and have stayed at Burj Al Arab before, but this was an absolute treat. To play tennis with Andre on top of such an amazing hotel and overlooking the whole of Dubai was absolutely spectacular.”
Both players are in town for the ATP’s Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open, a USD $1 million International Series Gold event. Federer is the reigning champion of the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open and is making his third appearance in the tournament while Agassi is playing an ATP tournament in the Middle East for the first time
