Dubai, Novak Djokovic welcomed the “positive” reception he has received from his fellow players, after making his first appearance since missing the Australian Open.
Djokovic, whose decision not to be vaccinated against COVID-19 caused him to be deported from Australia on the eve of the year’s first grand slam, eased to a 6-3 6-3 win over Lorenzo Musetti in just 74 minutes at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Djokovic spoke publicly about his vaccination status for the first time in a BBC interview last week, while rival Andy Murray, who has spoken about his support for vaccination on numerous occasions, said that he “didn’t like seeing” Djokovic’s ordeal in Australia after his own win in Dubai.
Serbia’s 0-time Grand Slam winner says that most of his fellow professionals have been supportive upon his return to action.
“So far here most of the players that I’ve seen – I haven’t seen too many players – but most of the players that I’ve seen have been positive and welcoming”, he said after his round-of-3win.
“It’s nice to see, obviously. I can’t say that was the case in Australia. It was a little bit strange. But here, it’s gone well so far.”
The 34-year-old impressed against Musetti, serving five aces, winning 71 per cent of his second serves (17 out of 4) and saving each of the seven break points he faced during his first outing of the year, and Djokovic was also pleased with the reception he received from the fans in Dubai, as well as with his performance.
“I couldn’t ask for a better reception,” he added.
“It’s been a while since I played, and I couldn’t think of a better place to kick-start the season. Thank you for the reception and for welcoming me on court the way you did.
“All in all, it’s a straight-sets win so I have to be satisfied with my tennis, especially after not playing for two and a half months.
“Of course, there were moments when I made unforced errors, but it’s normal to expect that in your first match in a while.
“I’m glad I managed to finish the job off in straight sets against a very talented player who possesses a lot of quality. All in all, a very pleasant experience.”
Djokovic is the top seed in the men’s singles draw in Dubai, but his ability to compete at next month’s Indian Wells Masters, as well as in May’s second grand slam of the year, the French Open, remains unclear, due to his refusal to be vaccinated against the virus.
Source: Oman News Agency