Djokovic Makes Long-Awaited 2022 Debut In Dubai

After getting deported from Australia, Novak Djokovic makes his long-awaited 2022 debut on the tennis courts this week in Dubai.

The Serb is not just going for a sixth Dubai title, but also trying to keep his No. 1 ranking, which he has held for the last 79 weeks. But that’s out of his control — if Daniil Medvedev wins Acapulco, he’s No. 1!

More importantly for Djokovic is the that he has a limited number of events to play right now, and this is one of them. He has to win when given the chance.

Djokovic will be joined by Marseille champion Andrey Rublev, Canadians Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov, Jannik Sinner, Hubert Hurkacz and Doha titlist Roberto Bautista Agut.

Djokovic opens against Italian phenom Lorenzo Musetti, The youngster had Djokovic by two sets at the French last year. He’s projected to face Arthur Rinderknech in the quarters then in the semifinals the likely all-Canadian Shapovalov-FAA victor.

Andy Murray finds himself in an open bottom half which also features Hurkacz and Sinner in his quarter and Russians Rublev and Aslan Karatsev in the bottom quarter.

Murray meets Aussie wildcard Christopher O’Connell. Sinner draws Alejandro Davidovich Fokina while Hurkacz faces Aleksander Bublik. Rublev gets Dan Evans.

Last year, Karatsev won his first title defeating Lloyd Harris in a surprise final.