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Tennis: a month after his coronation in Melbourne, Djokovic is back in business in Dubai

2023-02-27T17:15:49.418Z


Recovered from a hamstring injury, the Serb returns to the courts this week in the Emirates, four weeks after his tenth crown at the Australian Open.


It is a record Novak Djokovic who starts the Dubai tournament on Tuesday.

Buoyed by a 378th week as a world No.

"

It's surreal to be number one for so many weeks, to match Graf - one of the greatest of all time.

Just being among these legendary names is flattering.

I'm proud of it.

»

The winner of the Australian Open, his record 10th title in Melbourne last month, intends to confirm that he is once again the undisputed boss of world tennis on the hard courts of Dubai where he has already won five times.

To prepare for his return to competition, the Serb trained at home in Belgrade before joining the Middle East.

An appetizer against the Czech Tomas Machac, 22 years old and 120th in the world, is offered to him for his entry into the running on Tuesday, before a potential quarter-final against Hubert Hurkacz, winner on Sunday in Marseille, and a clash against Medvedev in the semis, winner in quick succession of the Rotterdam and Doha tournaments, then finally Rublev or Auger‐Aliassime to lift a new trophy.

Read alsoNovak Djokovic, on his way to breaking all records

Djokovic had suffered a three centimeter tear in his hamstring in Australia.

Last Wednesday in Belgrade, he assured during a press conference that this thigh injury, contracted during his return tournament in Adelaide and which had hampered him in Melbourne, despite a tenth title fairly easily won, was ancient history.

He confirmed this on Monday in Dubai:

I went two weeks without tennis.

In recent days, it was about training as much as possible to get back in shape and be able to compete at a high level.

I haven't felt any pain on the court for a week.

I'm getting closer and closer to 100%.

I have not yet reached the level of the game and my best feelings on the court.

But the important thing is that there is no pain.

I am not hampered in the way I move on the pitch.

 »


I don't have the time, the energy or the inclination to deal with every story that comes out on the internet.

Novak Djokovic

After winning his back-to-school tournament in Adelaide, then the Australian Open, Djokovic arrives undefeated in the Gulf and remains on twelve victories in a row.

More efficient than ever at 35 and still as divisive.

The "Djoker" had announced that he would soon deliver the truth, following his hamstring tear at the Australian Open, which had caused a stir.

The “truth” will wait.

I don't have the time, energy or inclination to deal with every story that comes out on the internet.

I know what is right and what is true

 ”, he had slipped to the press present in Belgrade last week.

The world number one should in any case soon be caught up in his status as unvaccinated at Covid-19.

The man with 22 Grand Slam titles may be forced to skip the American tour in March.

Unless the situation turns around, no Masters 1000 in Indian Wells and Miami for the native of Belgrade, because the American authorities have extended the vaccination obligation for foreign visitors until April.

The boss of world tennis, however, has not resigned himself to ignoring the Masters 1000 in March.

His brother Djordje told the Tanjug news agency recently that the world number 1 had sent the necessary documents to obtain special authorization.

To be continued…

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2023-02-27

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