Dubai Duty Free Tennis: Defending champion Stan Wawrinka ready for title fight after recovering from knee injury

The Swiss, who triumphed in Dubai for the first time last year with victory over Marcos Baghdatis in the final, has been out of action since last month’s Australian Open due to a knee problem.

But the 31-year-old is now fully fit and banking on his positive experiences in Dubai in 2016 to help him this time around.

“I have amazing memories from here last year, it was a great week and atmosphere in the final,” the three-time Grand Slam champion told Sport360 on Sunday.

“I’m happy to be back again on the tour and I’m going to try and be ready for my first match,” said Wawrinka, who plays Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia in the round of 32 on Tuesday.