'I miss tennis': Novak Djokovic ready for comeback in Dubai

World No 1 heads amazing line-up at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Novak Djokovic is looking forward to focusing on tennis again, with the world No 1 set to head an incredible line-up at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

The Serbian star has been in the news for many weeks after his controversial visa row in Australia, which ended with Djokovic being deported before the start of the Australian Open.

Djokovic, 34, had arrived in Melbourne with a medical exemption against Covid-19 vaccination, but after the courts initially overturned the border force's decision to cancel his visa, the Australian government decided to remove him from the country and that decision was upheld.

Djokovic is also the French Open and Wimbledon champion, but his vaccination stance means his chances of defending those titles are also in doubt. The Serb, however, has stated that he is willing to sacrifice chances to win more titles rather than be forced to get a vaccine.

Now, he is aiming to put all that behind him and focus on tennis in Dubai. Djokovic has been a regular participant at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships throughout his career, competing 11 times since making his debut in 2007 and winning the title on five occasions, most recently in 2020.

Novak Djokovic, pictured with his wife, Jelena, gives a presentation at Expo 2020 Dubai about his foundation, which develops early childhood education projects in Serbia and gives grants to educational initiatives. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Novak Djokovic tours the Serbian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Jelena Djokovic talks about her family's foundation and the work it has done to improve the lives of children in Serbia. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Novak Djokovic writes a message at the Serbian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Novak Djokovic is shown around the Serbian pavilion at Expo. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Jelena Djokovic and her husband discuss the work of their foundation. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Novak Djokovic enters the Serbian pavilion on Thursday evening. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Novak Djokovic visits the Serbian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. AP

Novak Djokovic speaks with his daughter, Tara, during a visit to the Serbian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP

"I always love Dubai. I love coming here. I have had plenty of tennis success here and I am excited to go out on the tennis court next Monday," Djokovic said during a visit to the Serbia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai to promote the work of Novak Djokovic Foundation.

"I miss tennis, honestly, after everything that has happened in the previous couple of months."

While Djokovic may face trouble attending other events this season if he remains unvaccinated, the Serb has no such concerns in the UAE.

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships tournament director Salah Tahlak said he was happy to welcome Djokovic back to the emirates.

“We have no concerns over [his vaccination status] because the most important thing for us is to follow government policy and protocols. The government here does not require someone to be vaccinated to enter the country. We have PCR testing available in the airport upon arrival and also at the tournament and the official hotel,” Tahlak said.

Djokovic is set to return to action at the men's Dubai tennis championships, which begin on February 21.

“We are thrilled to welcome so many top players to our 30th year celebrations of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,” Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, had said.

“We are delighted to see Novak back in Dubai for the 12th time when he will be seeking his sixth title and we wish him the best of luck.”

Among those set to join the 20-time Grand Slam champion in Dubai are eight of the current top 20 players in the ATP rankings, including 2021 Dubai champion Aslan Karatsev, 2021 semi-finalists Andrey Rublev and Denis Shapovalov and former champion Roberto Bautista Agut.

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic walks with his team after landing at Dubai International Airport on January 17, 2022 after the Australian Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel his visa to play in the Australian Open. Reuters

Novak Djokovic walks through Dubai International Airport after landing from Melbourne where he was deported on Sunday. Reuters

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic after landing in Dubai. Reuters

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic. Reuters

Novak Djokovic lost his appeal Sunday after the Australian government cancelled his visa for a second time. Reuters

World No 1 men's tennis player Novak Djokovic walks with his team at Dubai Airport. Reuters

Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie. Reuters

Novak Djokovic seen walking through Dubai International Airport shortly after arriving from Melbourne. Reuters

Serbia's tennis champion Novak Djokovic disembarks from a plane at the airport in Dubai. AFP

Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie after landing at Dubai Airport. Reuters

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic walks in Melbourne Airport before boarding a flight to Dubai. Reuters

Novak Djokovic walks through departures at Melbourne Airport before boarding a flight to Dubai. Reuters

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic walks in Melbourne Airport escorted by aides. Reuters

A Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel Novak Djokovic's visa to play in the Australian Open, in Melbourne. Reuters

This screen grab taken from AFPTV shows a Dubai-bound plane carrying Serbia's Novak Djokovic preparing to depart from Melbourne Airport on January 16, 2022, after Djokovc lost a legal battle over his coronavirus vaccination status with his dream of clinching a record 21st Grand Slam in tatters. AFP