23 February,2022 07:08 AM IST | Dubai | AFP
Novak Djokovic celebrates his win over Lorenzo Musetti in Dubai on Monday. Pic/AP; PTI
Novak Djokovic admitted the warm reception he was given by fans in Dubai on Monday exceeded his expectations as he made a successful return to the tour for the first time since his deportation from Australia.
The World No.1 kicked off his 2022 campaign with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Italian teenager Lorenzo Musetti, and was greeted by loud cheers from a packed stadium as he commenced his quest for a sixth title in the Emirates in style.
Djokovic was not sure how he would be received in the wake of everything that happened in Australia last month, but stated he couldn't ask for a better reception as fans scrambled to take photos with him after the match, chanting âNole, Nole', to celebrate his victory and his return to action.
"I think Dubai is a perfect place for me to start a season because of the support and the fans that showed up tonight and cheered me on the way they did," Djokovic said. "They exceeded my best expectations in terms of the atmosphere."
Djokovic, 34, hopes of winning a 10th Australian Open, and 21st Grand Slam, last month were shattered when he had his visa cancelled and was deported for not being vaccinated against COVID-19. In his absence, Rafael Nadal clinched a record-breaking 21st major title, moving ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer - who each have 20 - in the race for Grand Slam supremacy.
Earlier, former World No.1 Andy Murray battled for nearly three hours against Australian qualifier Christopher O'Connell before advancing to the second round with a 6-7(4/7), 6-3, 7-5 victory.
The three-time Grand Slam winner says he does not agree with Djokovic's stance against the vaccine but believes the tour is better off when the World No.1 is able to compete. "I think it would be a lot easier for him obviously if he was to get vaccinated," Murray said. "But I also didn't like seeing him in the situation that he was in Australia as someone that I respect, have known since I was a child. There are consequences to the decisions he's made just now. He obviously has to accept that. But I don't think it's great for tennis if our best player is not competing in the major events."
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