The UAE has been inundated with big name tennis stars this week thanks to the <a href="https://www.mubadalawtc.com/">Mubadala World Tennis Championship</a>, which took place in Abu Dhabi. Although Roger Federer wasn't playing in the tournament, that has not stopped him hanging out in the emirates. The Swiss tennis player was spotted at Avli by Tashas, a chic Greek restaurant in Dubai's DIFC. "Great having this true gentleman back at Avli by Tashas! The one and only Mr Roger Federer," chef Mateus Coelho wrote on Instagram, posting a photo of the sportsman with the team of kitchen staff. Roger Federer is no stranger to the UAE, he is even said to own a home in the prestigious Le Reve tower in <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/an-ode-to-dubai-marina-why-there-has-never-been-a-better-time-to-live-there-1.943939">Dubai Marina</a>. It is not unusual for residents of the Marina to spy the tennis star out and about. He has been seen at Turkish restaurant Ruya's Friday brunch and has, of course, been given the #SaltBae treatment at Nusr-Et. Federer clearly likes to support homegrown brands, as well as being spotted at Ruya and Avlii, he also visited Indego by Vineet in Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina a few years ago: He also took this snap at the Armani Hotel back in 2014, at what is likely the hotel's excellent Indian restaurant Armani/Amal (judging by the angle of the Burj): Avli attracts a regular celebrity clientele, sportspeople in particular. Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah was spotted at the eatery back in October and former professional tennis player Boris Becker dined there in April. Its popularity is certainly not limited to athletes, however. <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/travel/sheikh-hamdan-in-japan-dubai-s-crown-prince-visits-tourist-hotspots-in-tokyo-and-kyoto-1.953082">Sheikh Hamdan</a> bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/food/eat-like-sheikh-hamdan-10-dubai-restaurants-he-s-been-spotted-in-1.937407">dined at</a> Avli by Tashas in February this year, at the time of the restaurant's opening, and actor Cuba Gooding Jr visited in March. <strong>_________________</strong> <strong>Read more:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/food/eva-longoria-spends-day-in-dubai-desert-before-eating-gold-steak-at-salt-bae-s-nusr-et-1.952625">Eva Longoria spends day in Dubai desert before eating gold steak at Salt Bae’s Nusr-Et</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/food/chef-izu-ani-on-opening-two-new-dubai-eateries-with-every-restaurant-i-put-myself-in-a-different-situation-1.951608">Chef Izu Ani on opening two new Dubai eateries: 'With every restaurant, I put myself in a different situation'</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/food/six-top-seafood-restaurants-to-try-in-the-uae-1.950430">Six top seafood restaurants to try in the UAE</a></strong> <strong>_________________</strong>