Novak Djokovic faces Italian teenager Lorenzo Musetti in Dubai next week in a tough first round comeback following the drama surrounding his Australian Open deportation. The world number one makes his return to the court on Monday after the coronavirus vaccine row that kept him from defending his Australian Open title.
Musetti eventually retired due to injury with Djokovic leading the last 16 clash 6-7 , 6-7 , 6-1, 6-0, 4-0. Spanish rival Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open to become the first man to win 21 major titles, one ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer. Second seed Andrey Rublev has a first round date with Britain’s Dan Evans, while Saturday’s draw pitted last year’s Dubai winner Aslan Karatsev against American Mackenzie McDonald.
The most problematic tournament for Djokovic at the moment is the US Open, where a vaccination certificate is required.