After Australian furore, Djokovic starts his season in Dubai

Novak Djokovic's season, derailed in January when he was deported ahead of the Australian Open in a dispute over a Covid medical exemption, finally starts on Monday in Dubai. "I am excited to go back and play on Monday," Djokovic told the media in Dubai last week. "I miss tennis after all that has happened." The organisers have dubbed the first day of the ATP event 'Magnificent Monday' and a couple of other marquee entrants, Marin Cilic and Andy Murray, will also be in action.

But all eyes will be on Djokovic, the only one of the tournament's eight seeds who is in action on Monday. He closes the day on centre court against Italian teenager Lorenzo Musetti. Djokovic last played when he beat Cilic on December 3 but could not stop Croatia eliminating Serbia in the Davis Cup semi-final in Madrid to end his 2021 season.

His campaign this year was knocked off course when he was deported from Australia following a drawn out dispute over his medical exemption from the country's Covid vaccination rules. Djokovic lost the argument and his chance to win a record 21st Grand Slam title. Instead, Rafael Nadal took the title and sole ownership of the record.

Djokovic is able to play in Dubai as a coronavirus vaccine is not a requirement to enter the United Arab Emirates. The Serbian is a five-time winner in Dubai and he finally starts his season with a point to prove and his number one ranking under threat. "I can't say that things will be the same when I return to the court," he told Serbian public broadcaster RTS last week.