Tennis Live Updates: After being deported from Australia last month, Novak Djokovic has confessed that he has “missed tennis” and is eager to return to the court.
World No. 1 had his visa revoked twice before being deported by the Australian government last month due to a lack of coronavirus vaccination.
He is now poised to compete in his first tournament of the season, the Duty-Free Tennis Championships, which he has won five times.
Novak Djokovic reiterated his choice not to take any anti-coronavirus vaccines this week, stating he will continue to boycott tournaments if his status as “unvaccinated” precludes him from competing in any country.
It’s possible he won’t play in the French Open in May, and he won’t have another chance to win a Grand Slam until Wimbledon in June.
“I discovered happiness in life because I stayed committed to the sport that I truly love,” he remarked.
“I work with children, which is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I’ve stayed linked to the sport as a tennis teacher and mentor, and I’m extremely happy and proud to be where I am and who I am; for me, this is a success, and I’m a champion.”
Dubai’s government does not require guests to be vaccinated, therefore Djokovic will be able to compete in the event starting next week.
“I always love Dubai. Love coming here,” said Djokovic. “I have had plenty of tennis success and I am excited to go out on the tennis court next Monday.
“I missed tennis honestly after everything that has happened in a previous couple of months and of course, the purpose of the visit today to the expo is promoting our foundation’s work.”
Djokovic will be joined by incumbent champion Aslan Karatsev, Andy Murray, and top ten players Andrey Rublev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Jannik Sinner at the hard-court event in Dubai.
Djokovic will be permitted to compete in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, according to Italian sports minister Valentina Vezzali, because outdoor tournaments do not require vaccination against Covid-19.
“It is an outside sport, and the stricter green pass is not required,” Vezzali said in an interview with the Italian newspaper Libero on Thursday.
“As a result, if Djokovic wishes to play in Italy, he will be entitled to do so. Perhaps not staying in hotels or eating in restaurants.”
The event will be held in Rome from May 2 to 15.
For tennis tournament, Tennis Live Updates, tennis championship, tennis live score, tennis court, and other tennis news follow livematchupdatesnews.com.
