( CNN ) -- As he admitted himself this week , Roger Federer has no idea how long his career may last but tennis fans in Dubai were guaranteed another chance to see him after the Swiss survived a first round scare against Tunisia 's Malek Jaziri . The reigning champion -- bidding for his sixth title at the Dubai Tennis Championships -- had to come from behind to win 5-7 6-0 6-2 against the World No . 128 , who was playing his first ATP World Tour match since October . `` It was a difficult match for me out here tonight , but I 'm happy I found a way and got a day off now so I can work a little bit on the game , '' said Federer , who beat Andy Murray in last year 's final . `` Just maybe the pressure is off a little bit , and then automatically I will play a lot better in the second round . '' In the run-up to Monday 's game , Federer -- who will play either Marcel Granollers or Albert Montanes ( both of Spain ) in the next round -- revealed he will undertake a far lighter schedule this year . The 31-year-old will take nearly two months off after the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells , which runs from March 4-17 , before returning in May to play the Madrid Open . The Swiss says the break will allow him to take a holiday with his wife and twin three-year-old daughters before spending 4-6 weeks practising on clay courts in Switzerland . `` The last few years have been really tricky in terms of my practice schedule , especially through an Olympic year [ in 2012 ] , '' said the 17-time grand slam winner . `` This year is totally different . Family is very important , so I also want to spend quality time with them . '' `` I ca n't play a year like I did last year every single season because that is n't the point I 'm at in my career . I 'm not 22 where I have to play 25-30 tournaments a year . Plus , I believe I 'll be really ready for the tournaments I 've entered . '' Federer is planning to play just 14 tournaments in 2013 , even dropping his home town event in Basel and the Miami tournament , which has often been described as the biggest outside the four grand slams . Federer , who won Wimbledon but lost the Olympic final last year , may be vying for the top honours with Rafael Nadal , Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray but his chances of success are threatened by being nearly five years more senior than the next oldest . `` I 'm trying to be smart with my scheduling because I 'm in a totally different situation than they are , '' he said . `` Your prime is 23 to 27-28 so for me it 's very challenging -- and exciting . I need to make the right decisions . I have family and not many guys have that . '' Considered by many as the greatest of all time , Federer stressed that his lighter workload is intended to prolong his playing career and insists it is not a sign of him winding down . `` I strongly believe I have more slams in me , '' he rallied . `` I can play great , but will I be allowed to ? Time will tell . `` My big focus is on making sure that every tournament I enter I am perfectly prepared . I am hopeful I will get enough matches but if not my schedule can be changed . '' `` I want to give myself the best chance to play as long as I can . Maybe then it will become clear that it is time to stop . Things change very quickly , and you have to be ready and open about it . `` But I would like to give myself the chance to play for many years to come . I am happy with the way my body is . I am healthy and happy to be playing . `` If I feel confident and am enjoying it , I hope to play for a long time . I think I am playing excellent tennis . Some win grand slams at 16 and others at 34 . It depends how you see things . '' In Monday 's other opening games of the US $ 2.4m championships , seventh seed Andreas Seppi of Italy turned around a 0-4 losing run against Paul-Henri Mathieu to beat the Frenchman 6-3 7-5 . Seppi will next play Czech Lukas Rosol , who beat Italian qualifier Matteo Viola 6-3 7-5 , while Russia 's Mikhail Youzhny beat Blaz Kavcic 1-6 6-1 6-3 . Next up for Youzhny will be Daniel Brands , who beat fellow qualifier Florent Serra 7-6 ( 7 ) 6-4 , while Roberto Bautista of Spain made it through when beating Belgium 's David Goffin in straight sets . On Tuesday , the 32-man field will be further whittled down -- with Novak Djokovic among those entering the action , with the World No . 1 taking on fellow Serb , and childhood friend , Viktor Troicki .
Roger Federer comes from a set down to beat Malek Jaziri . Defending champion will face Marcel Granollers or Albert Montanes in second round . World No . 1 Novak Djokovic plays childhood friend Viktor Troicki on Tuesday .