DUBAI (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic was wanting ahead to kick-starting his 2022 season in Dubai following his deportation from Australia, and mentioned he can be the primary to congratulate U.S. Open champion Danil Medvedev if the Russian ends his two-year reign on the prime of the world rankings this week.
The 34-year-old Serbian will play competitively on Monday for the primary time this yr in his opening Dubai Duty Free Championships match in opposition to Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, ranked 57th on the earth.
“I’m as nicely ready as I presumably may be and excited to again give you the option to tour,” he advised a press convention on Sunday.
Djokovic, who’s chasing his sixth match win in Dubai, mentioned he resumed coaching about 10 days after he was deported from Australia and had been taking part in tennis for the previous three weeks.
“I did my finest to put myself in a very good place tennis-wise and mentally as nicely … I’m actually glad to be taking part in again.”
The world primary, who will not be vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, was flown out of Australia after an 11-day ordeal, on the discretion of the nation’s immigration minister over considerations the tennis star may gas anti-vax sentiment.
Djokovic has mentioned that he’s not an anti-vaxxer and that his refusal to be vaccinated stems from uncertainty over how a coronavirus vaccination may have an effect on his taking part in efficiency.
World quantity two Medvedev, who’s taking part in within the Mexican Open this month, may dethrone Djokovic relying on how nicely every participant performs of their respective tournaments.
“Eventually it is going to occur and if it occurs this week, I’ll be the primary one to congratulate him,” Djokovic mentioned.
Medvedev was runner-up in final month’s Australian Open.
(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
