Roger Federer returns to court "refueled" in Dubai this week after having not played since he won the Australian Open, his first tour event since being sidelined with knee problems for more than half a season.
He says he's ready to compete following a few weeks of reveling in his victory.
"Mentally I’m super-fresh again. I think I refueled the energy tank, on the mental side, being home, spending time with the family, being in the winter in the mountains in Switzerland. It was beautiful to be home in my own house and just enjoy that part," he told Sport360.
But the No. 9 acknowledged that he was not starting the tournament in top shape, with a leg injury having delayed his return to training.
"Physically I had a bit of a problem with my leg, that was bothering me for basically ten days of the Australian Open," said Federer, also making an indirect reference to criticisms he had received for calling the trainer.
An MRI following the tournament revealed some damage, but another done a week ago indicated improvement. Federer, having recently said he had not yet begun doing full practices again, is now ramping up.
"[But] since three days now I’m practicing at 100 percent," he added. "I’m a little bit tired because it’s the first time I’m actually pushing myself again, but because it’s fast-courts, best-of-three, I'll be fine."
The top seeds at the event are Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka.