Novak Djokovic defeated the young Italian promise Lorenzo Musetti this Monday in the first round of the dubai tournament, in what was the Serb’s return to competition a month after being deported from Australia for not being vaccinated against covid-19.
world number 1who could lose his place if the Russian Daniil Medvedev wins the title in Acapulco this week, beat Musetti by a double 6-3, in his first match in 2022.
Without changing his position one iota despite being relegated by Rafael Nadal in the race to monopolize a greater number of Grand Slam and from the social division generated in his environment, Novak returned to the competition in Dubai, where he can participate despite not being vaccinated.
In this way, the Balkan entered into action in this 2022. He jumped on the track to play a tournament that he has won five times, the last one two years ago.
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Still with the image fresh in memory of everything that happened in Australia, of waiting at the Melbourne airport counter, of being interrogated by the country’s authorities and of staying in a seedy hotel until being deported, arrived in Dubai without any access problems.
There are no vaccination requirements in the United Arab Emirates where it is enough to present a negative PCR result 72 hours before the trip. There was therefore no debate for the Serbian, holder of twenty major titles, to jump onto the track to enlarge his history and start the journey through a course that started badly for his interests.
So things and at the expense of the rules, Djokovic began his particular season with the number one in the air. the russian Daniil Medvedev, finalist in Australia is on the prowl. About to become the new king of the circuit. For the first time since 2004, with the American Andy Roddick, the top of the ranking has always been a matter of the ‘big four’: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray. But the Muscovite can put an end to this and take the place on Monday, February 28.
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It is in the hands of the Russian, not Djokovic who may suffer a new setback in 2022. His fall from first place will be added to his expulsion from the Australian Open. If Medvedev wins in Acapulco, where he will meet Nadal, he will be number one even if Nole wins in Dubai. That is, if the Russian does the same or better than the Serbian, he will be at the top. Although Daniil’s time at the top will depend on the upcoming events.
The Belgrade tennis player has been the best for 360 weeks, although at different times. And consecutively he has not fallen from the top since February 3, 2020. Djokovic had not played since the Davis Cup semifinals at the beginning of December. Further on the circuit, since the semifinal of the Masters, last November.
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