Dubai, Feb 19: World No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic will be returning to action, when he begins campaign at the Dubai Championships on February 20, after he was deported from Australia over his Covid-19 vaccination status.
The draws took place at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on Saturday. The Serbian will meet Italian teenager Lorenzo Musetti, who had reached the quarterfinals of the Rotterdam Open last week, in the first round of the tournament.
Djokovic could face a formidable challenge as he bids to win his sixth title at the Dubai Championships, after he was placed in the same quarter as the 2018 champion and in-form Roberto Bautista Agut.
Others in the same quarter of the draw include former US Open champion Marin Cilic and Doha semi-finalist Karen Khachanov, who Djokovic could clash with in the second round.
“We are delighted to welcome him (Djokovic) to Dubai once again and wish him well as he attempts to win his 87th career title,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free.
