Karen Khachanov: I would've been dangerous at ATP Finals

DUBAI—Karen Khachanov was brimming with confidence after a strong start at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The ATP 500 is effectively a home tournament for the former world No. 8 who, like many players, has been based in Dubai for nearly a decade.

“I'm living here since 2016,” he said of the popular tennis city after a 6-1, 6-3 win over Dan Evans. “Actually, it was a longer time before more players started to come here. I would say Roger [Federer] was one of the first ones who used to train here, especially in December. Then sometimes even he was coming in July, which I was completely surprised because it's just impossible to train during the day. He wanted to feel tough conditions. I remember when we spoke before U.S. swing. I never tried that, to be honest.

“Almost everyone is here,” he continued. “I think is just conditions and facilities. Just perfect I think for training.”

Khachanov, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist, spent the off-season in Dubai after a strong finish to 2024, making back-to-back finals in Almaty and Vienna—winning the former—and reaching the semifinals of the Rolex Paris Masters. The late-season spring ultimately came too late for a berth at the Nitto ATP Finals, where he served as an alternate back in 2018.

“I was really enjoying myself out there, winning matches. I wanted to continue the season, to be honest!” the 28-year-old said with a laugh. “I didn't qualify for the Finals, Nitto Finals, otherwise I think I would be dangerous there.”

Ending the season ranked No. 15, Khachanov hoped to maintain his momentum over the off-season but suffered three straight losses after reaching the third round of the Australian Open, only snapping the streak against Evans on Monday.

I'm always believing in myself. I'm always going out there to fight. I'm confident, let's say. Karen Khachanov

“I just want to have as many matches as possible to find this rhythm, to find this level,” said Khachanov, who suffered a near-miss last week at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open against Daniil Medvedev. “You can be fit, you can be ready, practicing well, feeling well, but you then you need to go out there and win. Once these wins are coming, you start to feel the points better because maybe you can practice really well, you feel the ball, you feel everything.

“It was unfortunate I was playing against Daniil. It was tough match for both, let's say. He would prefer I'm sure somebody else. I would prefer somebody else. With that level, I could go further and maybe do a better result.”

Khachanov looked to double his chances of match play by entering the men’s doubles draw with good friend Andrey Rublev, and will likely encounter a strong test next in the singles against either Lorenzo Sonego or No. 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. But despite any lingering rust, the unseeded Russian is not lacking in self-belief.

“I'm always believing in myself,” said Khachanov with his inimitable bluntness. “I'm always going out there to fight. I'm confident, let's say. Let's see who wins.

“I cannot predict that and guarantee anything. I think neither my opponent can. That's the approach I have.”