Novak Djokovic’s first match this season. How did he do?

A lot has happened around Novak Djokovic lately. Due to being unvaccinated, he is unable to participate in tournaments in countries where the vaccine is a requirement to enter the country. The wait is now over.

It all came to a head in January when Djokovic was supposed to participate in the Australian Open, but local authorities banned him several times from competing in the first Grand Slam of the season. He thus missed the chance to fight for a record title in the biggest event of the tennis season.

Because the Serbian did not get the coronavirus vaccine, countries where the vaccination is a condition for entering their territories prevent him from competing in tournaments held there.

Some countries, however, do not require the mandatory vaccination, such as the United Arab Emirates, where the ATP 500 tournament is currently underway in Dubai. The 34-year-old Serb faced Italian talent Lorenzo Musetti in his first match on the circuit this year.

But the five-time winner of this tournament certainly didn’t have an easy job. He faced 7 break points in the match, but the world number one managed to fight off all of them and beat the Italian 6-3, 6-3 in two sets.

“I was lucky to have the right serve on those break points. That calmed me down a lot for the rest of the match,” Djokovic said after the match.

The Belgrade native has to work hard to remain world No. 1 because in a week, after a new points tally, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev could take the throne if he wins the Acapulco tournament. So Djokovic needs to reach at least the quarter-finals, but even that doesn’t give the Serb a sure thing.

In the next match, Djokovic will face the winner of the match between Karen Khachanov and Alex de Minaur. That match is scheduled for today at 11:00.

Sources: Livesport, TennisTV