Finally, we can talk about Novak Djokovic again for his sports performance. A month after his expulsion from Australia following a soap opera with twists and turns, the 34-year-old Serb launched his season on Monday evening at the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai. A coronavirus vaccine is not required to enter the Emirates. Unvaccinated, Djokovic easily won against the Italian Lorenzo Musetti (58th at the ATP) in two sets (6-3, 6-3) and in 1h14 after his first match since the beginning of December.
In the fight to defend his place as world No. 1, which Daniil Medvedev could steal from him in the event of victory this week at the Acapulco tournament, “Djoko” received a very good reception from the public. Flags bearing his likeness flew in the stands, from which “Novaks” were launched. “Thank you very much for your support and the way you welcomed me,” said the hero of the day after the match, who “couldn’t have chosen a better place to start my season”.
He tried not to watch the Australian Open final
After the meeting, the Serb returned to the Australian Open final won by Rafael Nadal against Medvedev. The Spaniard became the first man to win 21 Majors, while Djokovic, like Roger Federer, remains stuck at 20. “I was trying not to watch her, but I had my family watching, everyone, my wife, my children, so I had to follow her, ”he confessed at a press conference.
“But congratulations to Rafa. It’s an incredible performance. He is an incredible fighter, he added. I don’t want to take anything away from his victory even though I didn’t participate. Of course, it was not pleasant for me to leave the country like that and watch the tournament from afar. »
In the second round in Dubai, the Serb will face the winner of the match scheduled for Tuesday between Russian Karen Khachanov (26th in the world) and Australian Alex de Minaur (32nd).