Now that he’s won Dubai seven times, you’d think Roger Federer would let go the criticism he received after his first appearance at the tournament, but for a man that takes such pride in his work, that just isn’t possible.

Dubai: Coric Says Playing Federer Like a Dream

After Federer clinched his seventh Dubai Duty Free Tennis title with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Novak Djokovic, Federer once again credited his second-round loss to Rainer Schuettler of Germany as a big reason for his remarkable success in Dubai over the last 13 years.

“I also think I had a rough first visit here to Dubai where I was accused for not putting in my best effort, I remember, and I came back the following year and won it and went on a roll,” Federer told reporters. “I really felt like I had something to prove after that, and I guess that's what got me to my winning ways here in Dubai. And then ever since then I fell in love with the tournament and the crowd and the city here.”

It’s not the first time that Federer has talked about the 6-3, 6-1 loss to the German. Prior to that loss Federer had never dropped a set in three matches against him, but on that fateful day, the same fast surface that suits Federer’s aggressive game so well caused him a bit of trouble.

"This has been one of the tournaments I had a rocky start to—Dubai," Federer told reporters, after his fifth title in 2012, according to Matt Cronin. "I was criticized for not giving the best effort when I lost to Schuettler. That was tough for me because I was in the second round in singles and doubles. So for people to question me was not very nice. I know the last two games weren't beautiful, but, you know, it's a quick court and quickly can look in a way that you're not interested. Rainer was better in that match. For me to then come back the following year and win the tournament and win so often now is a beautiful thing."

All credit to Federer for embracing the criticism and proving his worth—and then some—over a remarkable decade-plus in Dubai.

It’s one of the reasons that Federer is embraced so lovingly by fans and respected so heartily in the tennis community. He does not take losing lightly.

He has won 46 of 50 matches in 11 Dubai appearances since 2002—statement made.