Dubai – Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has been feted by many fans ahead of his participation in the ATP tournament in Dubai at the World Expo in the United Arab Emirates.
“I’m looking forward to getting on the tennis court next Monday,” Djokovic told the US news agency AP. “I miss tennis after everything that happened.” Djokovic reportedly checked out his home country’s pavilion at the World Expo and attended an event organised by his foundation.
Djokovic, who had not been vaccinated against the corona virus, had unsuccessfully tried to enter the Australian Open in January and was forced to leave the country after days of legal wrangling. He wants to “come back to Australia in the future” and “play in the Rod Laver Arena”, the 34-year-old said in an interview on Serbian television (RTS). As things stand, he would have to apply for an exemption for this because he is barred from entering the country for three years. He has a great connection to Australia “despite everything”, Djokovic said, referring to “many beautiful professional and personal things” he has experienced there.
In the United Arab Emirates, a Corona vaccination is not compulsory for visitors to the country. Djokovic had recently stressed that he was also prepared to forgo further Grand Slam tournaments as long as he was not vaccinated. In Dubai, he will compete in a tournament in the 500 class.
