Tennis

‘Novak Djokovic already had it in Adelaide’, says former WTA star

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WTA World No.2 Ons Jabeur and 21-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic will compete at the 31st Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships next month, tournament organizers have confirmed. Five-time Dubai champion Djokovic has also confirmed his participation, joining a men’s field that already includes the only male player with the most Grand Slam wins: Spaniard Rafael Nadal. Serbian Djokovic returns to Dubai seeking his first title in the emirate since 2020 and looking to get within two of Roger Federer’s record eight wins in Dubai. Djokovic returns to Dubai after a stellar 2022 in which he won his 21st Grand Slam title with a victory at Wimbledon, he broke his own record for number of weeks as number 1 on the ATP Tour (373 weeks at the top of the ranking). and won a 38º ATP 1000 Masters title. He also became the first player to accumulate 30 or more singles wins at each ATP Masters 1000 tournament. “It’s always exciting to be back in Dubai. The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is a special event for me. I have a long history with the Championship and have been lucky enough to play some great matches in front of a crowd at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. I can’t wait to play there again,” said Djokovic, who won the first of his five DDFTC crowns with victory in 2009. “Both Ons and Novak have really felt at home in Dubai over the years.” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice President and CEO of Dubai Duty Free. “Both players enjoy playing in Dubai and we are delighted to have them confirmed again this year. Having Novak and Rafa on the same court is very special and we look forward to another two exciting weeks of tennis. We look forward to announcing the full fields for the WTA and ATP Championships very soon and look forward to hosting another outstanding Championship fortnight.”

Nole Djokovic won in Adelaide

Former World No. 1 Justine Henin recently weighed in on Novak Djokovic’s chances at the 2023 Australian Open. “He is very appreciated there because he has won so many times in Melbourne and because he likes to play there. He has always had a good connection with the Australian crowd, a very respectful crowd that also wants to see the best players present. Therefore, he will have their support,” Henin said. “He already had it in Adelaide, and he will have it in Melbourne, there’s no doubt about it. I think it’s very respectful and quite fair of them,” she added further.

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