Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic won his first match of the year when he beat Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets to open the Dubai Championships on Monday.
World number one Novak Djokovic back to winning ways on his return to the court in Dubai today.
— Wittgenstein (@backtolife_2022) February 21, 2022
Strange times when you're detained twice and deported from Australia while you're trying to do your job, but it's ok in the UAE pic.twitter.com/Uxl4CZnRwc
Djokovic, the top-ranked player in the world, was unable to defend his Australian Open title last month after he was deported from the country for being unvaccinated against COVID-19.
Quite the reception for Novak Djokovic in Dubai pic.twitter.com/xvSeTwuMj0
— Molly McElwee (@molly_mcelwee) February 21, 2022
Despite his continued opposition to the coronavirus vaccines, Djokovic was allowed entry into the United Arab Emirates. In his return to the court, Djokovic was greeted with a standing ovation when he was introduced at the Dubai tournament, which he has won on five previous occasions.
Novak's back.
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 21, 2022
Djokovic walks out in Dubai for his first match of 2022…
Stream LIVE –>> https://t.co/hOHmv2wMlX pic.twitter.com/Sv03wvTrak
Djokovic responded with a wave to the crowd before making his way to his spot by the judge’s chair. The Serbian star then made quick work of Musetti, who took two sets off Djokovic at last year’s French Open.
