Expelled from Australia after the cancellation of his visa, the world number 1 in tennis, Novak Djokovic, was deprived of the first Grand Slam of the season, he who was the title holder of the Open but also the most crowned ( 9 times).
The Serb should play the ATP 500 in Dubai, organized from February 21 to 26.
He is on the provisional list of players registered for the tournament in the United Arab Emirates, a country in which it is not necessary to be vaccinated to enter the territory.
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In 2020, Novak Djokovic had lifted the trophy for the 5th time in his career, in the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas (6-3, 6-4), after having battled in the semi-final against Gaël Monfils (2-6, 7- 6, 6-1).
The Frenchman is also on the list of players registered in Dubai, as are Andrey Rublev and Félix Auger-Aliassime.
While he still hasn't spoken in public since leaving Australia, the Serb should see his schedule cut off from several tournaments, such as the first Masters 1000 of the season, in Indian Wells (from March 7 to 20). and Miami (March 21 to April 3), the United States not accepting unvaccinated foreign nationals.
His last game dates back to December 3
In a week, it will be two months since Novak Djokovic has not played a tennis match.
It was in the Davis Cup, with the Serbian selection, in a duel against Marin Cilic (Croatia), on December 3, 2021. He then won in two sets (6-4, 6-2).
For his last meeting on the ATP circuit last year, he lost in the semi-final of the ATP Finals, on November 20, in Turin, against the German Alexander Zverev (6-7, 6-4 , 3-6).