Federer takes a nostalgic trip to the Burj Khalifa

In Dubai, Roger Federer visited the world’s tallest tower to sit down with the tournament director and reflect on the past, as well as look ahead to what could be a big week for the Swiss.

At over 2,700 feet high, the Burj Khalifa is twice the height of the Empire State Building and offers an expansive view of all of Dubai. Federer is familiar with heights, having played on a helipad on the world's tallest hotel, Dubai's Burj Al Arab, in 2015.

Federer is a seven-time champion in Dubai, referring to his first title in 2003 as a milestone win.

“It was a big victory for me, to be quite honest,” Federer said. “It was a big stage tournament, the best players in the world were here, and I was able to really play a great tournament. It gave me the belief I needed.”

He has not won the event since 2015, and needed three sets to get past Philipp Kohlschreiber. On Wednesday, the world No. 7 needed another three to get past Fernando Verdasco.

If the No. 2 seed can pull off an eighth crown in Dubai, he will reach 100 career titles, a mark that only Jimmy Connors has surpassed.