• Falcons' Novak Djokovic watches from the side during the 2022 World Tennis League at the Coca-Cola arena in Dubai on December 21, 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Falcons' Novak Djokovic watches from the side during the 2022 World Tennis League at the Coca-Cola arena in Dubai on December 21, 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Eagles' Nick Kyrgios takes on the Falcons' Grigor Dimitrov. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Eagles' Nick Kyrgios takes on the Falcons' Grigor Dimitrov. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Eagles' Nick Kyrgios takes on the Falcons' Grigor Dimitrov. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Eagles' Nick Kyrgios takes on the Falcons' Grigor Dimitrov. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Falcons' Grigor Dimitrov takes on the Eagles' Nick Kyrgios. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Falcons' Grigor Dimitrov takes on the Eagles' Nick Kyrgios. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Grigor Dimitrov between games. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Grigor Dimitrov between games. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Falcons' Grigor Dimitrov serves to Nick Kyrgios in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Falcons' Grigor Dimitrov serves to Nick Kyrgios in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Djokovic forced to pull out of blockbuster World Tennis League clash with Kyrgios in Dubai


Reem Abulleil
  • English
  • Arabic

Novak Djokovic pulled out ahead of his match against Nick Kyrgios at the World Tennis League in Dubai on Wednesday, explaining he was “not feeling 100 per cent well enough to play”.

The blockbuster match-up between Djokovic and Kyrgios – a rematch of their Wimbledon 2022 final – was advertised as the main attraction for Day 3 of the WTL, which saw the biggest crowds for the event so far at Coca Cola Arena.

“Novak Djokovic announced that he would not be partaking in the World Tennis League event tonight due to not feeling 100 per cent well enough to play,” read a statement released by the WTL.

“Team Falcons will continue to play against Team Eagles and we look forward to Novak’s return to centre court.”

Djokovic was replaced by his Falcons teammate Grigor Dimitrov, who posted a 7-6, 6-3 victory over Kyrgios. But the Eagles still pulled off a 38-31 success over the Falcons.

“I was pretty excited to play Novak obviously, since Wimbledon final and all that, wanted to go out there and have some fun with him,” said Eagles star Kyrgios.

“But he’s got to look after his body and obviously he’s a got a big couple of months coming up with a lot of expectations, so I wasn’t surprised if he wasn’t feeling 100 per cent to get out there.

“But Grigor is a good mate of mine, it was good to get out there and get some load under the body again. Every day just feeling a little bit better physically. Just getting those two tough singles matches under my belt, feeling well, getting through those without anything kind of pulling up, so that’s a bonus.”

The day kicked off with mixed doubles, which was a lively affair with Djokovic dancing during changeovers, and all players getting involved with line calls and reacting to hot shots throughout.

It was the experience of Indian veteran Rohan Bopanna and the quick reflexes and soft hands of Bianca Andreescu that prevailed, giving the Eagles an early lead on the Falcons.

Bopanna and Andreescu lost 2-6, 7-6, 10-7 to Aryna Sabalenka and Dimitrov but because the number of games won is what matters the most in this format, the Eagles duo ended up giving their team a 13-10 advantage.

“It’s definitely bringing a different vibe to the sport, which I like. It’s my first time playing an exhibition match like this, and it’s nice to have the mixture of the men and the women,” former US Open champion Andreescu told The National.

“Playing doubles with Nick and with Rohan is amazing. He’s a Grand Slam champion, and Nick as well, so it’s nice because I can get some ideas off of them. And who knows, maybe I can play with them in mixed doubles in the future.”

Reigning WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia extended the Eagles advantage on the Falcons as the world No 4 defeated Spain’s Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-3.

Garcia served impeccably against the world No 13, perhaps channelling her inner Kyrgios. Serving bombs is probably the only thing she has in common though with her Australian teammate.

“It was a great atmosphere, I really enjoyed that match. It’s some great experience for us and I’m really happy to have some teammates, which is rare in our sport,” said the Frenchwoman.

“I think it’s good vibes on our team. We are all very different, I think Nick and I are pretty much the opposite when it comes to what we can do in our style outside the court. It’s a good team.”

MATCH INFO

Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')

Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

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There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8

Power: 611bhp

Torque: 620Nm

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Price: upon application

On sale: now

The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S

Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm

Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km

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Quick facts on cancer
  • Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases 
  •  About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime 
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  • 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries 
  • This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030 
  • At least one third of common cancers are preventable 
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7.40pm Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m

9.25pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m

 

The National selections:

6.30pm Underwriter

7.05pm Rayig

7.40pm Torno Subito

8.15pm Talento Puma

8.50pm Etisalat

9.25pm Gundogdu

The Bloomberg Billionaire Index in full

1 Jeff Bezos $140 billion
2 Bill Gates $98.3 billion
3 Bernard Arnault $83.1 billion
4 Warren Buffett $83 billion
5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
6 Mark Zuckerberg $67.3 billion
7 Larry Page $56.8 billion
8 Larry Ellison $56.1 billion
9 Sergey Brin $55.2 billion
10 Carlos Slim $55.2 billion

The biog

Name: Capt Shadia Khasif

Position: Head of the Criminal Registration Department at Hatta police

Family: Five sons and three daughters

The first female investigator in Hatta.

Role Model: Father

She believes that there is a solution to every problem

 

Breast cancer in men: the facts

1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.

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3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible. 

4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key. 

5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor

 

The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

 


 

Profile of MoneyFellows

Founder: Ahmed Wadi

Launched: 2016

Employees: 76

Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)

Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund

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Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo

Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Price: from Dh498,542

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The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates

Three tips from La Perle's performers

1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.

2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.

Updated: December 21, 2022, 7:32 PM