Roger Federer and Andre Agassi have taken tennis to new heights, playing a friendly match on the helipad at the luxurious Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.

At more than 200m above the ground, the pair had a few shots and even fired a few balls off the edge of the specially laid tennis court.




Andre Agassi of the USA and Roger Federer of Switzerland make their way up to the helipad of the 7 star Burj al Arab hotel for a publicity shoot, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 22, 2005. The world No 1 and the American tennis legend played on a specially prepared tennis court for some 20 minutes on top of the helipad which stands 211 meters high. Both players are participating in the Dubai Tennis Tournament. Picture taken February 22, 2005

"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 has a surface area of 415 sq metres, was converted into a tennis court for the two players, to help promote this week's Dubai Open.




Tennis player Andre Agassi of the USA hits a ball out to sea from the helipad of the 7 star Burj al Arab hotel during a publicity shoot, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 22, 2005. Roger Federer of Switzerland and the American tennis legend played on a specially prepared tennis court for some 20 minutes on top of the helipad which stands 211 meters high. Both players are participating in the Dubai Tennis Tournament. Picture taken February 22, 2005.

"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."

Federer is the reigning champion of the Dubai 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.




Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to American Andre Agassi on top of the helipad of the 7 star Burj al Arab hotel for a publicity shoot, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 22, 2005. The world No 1 and the American tennis legend played on a specially prepared tennis court for some 20 minutes on top of the helipad which stands 211 meters high. Both players are participating in the Dubai Tennis Tournament.


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