Novak Djokovic
Dubai Tennis C'ships: Djokovic storms into quarter-finals with win over Khachanov
The World No 1 has lifted the trophy in Dubai five times and continued his 2022 title bid with a dominant display against Khachanov, beating him 6-3, 7-6(2) in one hour and 38 minutes at the ATP 500 event. Djokovic, who made a winning return to the Tour after defeating Italian Lorenzo Musetti in the first round, once again showed little signs of rustiness, winning 83 per cent (38/46) of his first-serve points against Khachanov to improve to 5-1 in their ATP Head2Head series.
Djokovic begins Dubai campaign in style, beats Italy's Musetti
The match proved easier than the Serbian's previous meeting with the 19-year-old Musetti, which came in the fourth round of the French Open last year. In that encounter, the Italian was forced to retire in the fifth set after holding a two-sets-to-love lead. Djokovic, eventually, went on to clinch the title in Paris.
After Australian Open fiasco, Djokovic set to play in Dubai
The Dubai Open -- an ATP 500 event -- should be a strong starting point for Djokovic for the upcoming season after he was not allowed to compete in the opening Grand Slam of the year due to his unvaccinated COVID-19 status. Djokovic, the winner of 20 Grand Slam titles and a five-time champion here in Dubai -- 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2020 -- was quoted as saying by tennis.com on Saturday that he was "excited" to play in Dubai.
I would skip French Open, Wimbledon instead of getting vaccinated: Novak Djokovic
"Missing competitions and foregoing defending titles are the price that I am willing to pay," Djokovic was quoted as saying by BBC. However, he reiterated that he did not want to be lumped in with the anti-vaccine movement and was "never against vaccination."
Newsmen Explainer: Why has Novak Djokovic not taken Covid vaccine?
Novak Djokovic has refused to take Covid-19 vaccine and therefore, the procedure of his participation in the Australian Open which was subject to protocols placed in the view of COVID19 pandemic (and mandatory vaccinations) and which were supposed to be legal in nature, quickly took a murky political colour, resulting in unfavourable headlines for the Serbian, the tournament, and the Australian government as well. Here is a detailed explainer as to why Djokovic has not taken the vaccination.
Djokovic's French Open participation uncertain
Earlier, France's sports minister Roxane Maracineanu on January 7 said, "International Tennis Federation (ITF) protocols at major events meant an unvaccinated player would be entitled to enter France and participate in Roland Garros, which begins in May. Djokovic would not follow the same organisational arrangements as those who are vaccinated," Maracineanu told FranceInfo radio.
Deported Djokovic departs Australia on eve of year's first Grand Slam
Djokovic boarded a plane to Dubai, on way to Serbia, on the eve of the Australian Open, in which the top seed was hoping to win his 21st Grand Slam title, breaking the tie with archrivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic's case to be heard by a three-judge panel on Sunday
Reports suggested on Saturday that the Serbian player's case being heard by three judges, instead of one, was a big victory for his legal team, even as the winner of 20 Grand Slam titles will spend a fifth night in the city's detention hotel. If the defending Australian Open champion gets a reprieve on Sunday, he will be playing his opening-round match against fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic on Monday.
Australian minister cancels Djokovic's visa; world No. 1 cannot defend his title
The nine-time Australian Open champion, who has won consecutive titles at Melbourne Park since 2019, had initially been granted a medical exemption to compete in the tournament. The 34-year-old Djokovic, winner of 20 Grand Slam titles, had earlier this week won the legal battle in his bid to remain in Australia, with a court ordering his immediate release from immigration detention.
Novak Djokovic 'playing by his own rules', says Tsitsipas
The star player from Serbia was on Thursday drawn to start his campaign in the Australian Open against compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic, the World No 78. However, there is uncertainty over his participation as Djokovic's visa saga continues in Australia.
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