Djokovic could return in Dubai next month

The world No.1 may resume playing in February in the United Arab Emirates where he can enter unvaccinated.

Novak Djokovic during a practice session in Melbourne before he was deported ahead of the Australian Open. Picture: William West/AFP

Novak Djokovic has submitted an entry for the Dubai Championships as he considers returning to the tour next month after his controversial deportation from Australia.

The inclusion of the world No 1 on the provisional list of players for the event, from February 21 to 26, is no guarantee that he will compete, but at least gives him the option of appearing. He is a five-times champion on the hard courts of Dubai and can enter the United Arab Emirates without having to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Djokovic, 34, could potentially return earlier if he wishes, as the Rotterdam Open has made a wildcard available for him. This event, also with ATP 500 status, starts on February 7.

Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, missed out on the opportunity to win a record 21st grand-slam singles title at the Australian Open when his visa was cancelled by the government for a second time on “health and good order grounds”. Shortly after his review against the decision was dismissed on January 16, he said that he would “be taking some time to rest and recuperate”.

Meanwhile, Nick Kyrgios has been branded an “absolute knob” with the maturity of a ten-year-old by the opponent who lost to him in a dramatic Australian Open men’s doubles quarter-final on Tuesday.

The theatrics of Kyrgios and his partner, Thanasi Kokkinakis, have been lapped up by the crowds, who have packed out the stadiums of Melbourne Park to cheer the Australian pair on. But questions have been raised by some as to whether the frenzied behaviour of the spectators is disruptive and unfair.

New Zealand’s Michael Venus, who lost in three sets alongside Germany’s Tim Putz, believes Kyrgios crossed a line in riling up his supporters. Venus was heckled every time he misplaced his ball toss while serving and also received insulting remarks between points.

“Any time you were going back to get the balls to serve, people are making comments about yourself, your family,” Venus told New Zealand’s 1News. “It felt like a circus, not really a tennis match.

“Between serves, [Kyrgios and Kokkinakis were] geeing the crowd up and getting them to cheer. If it’s on the other foot, old mate [Kyrgios] would have flipped his lid.

“At the end of the day he’s an absolute knob. His tennis IQ is amazing but on the maturity side, you see why he’s never fulfilled his potential. His maturity level, it’s probably being generous to a ten-year-old [but] it’s about that level.”

The Times