'I miss tennis': Novak Djokovic ready for comeback in Dubai

Novak Djokovic is looking forward to focusing on tennis again, with the world No 1 set to head an incredible line-up at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

The Serbian star has been in the news for many weeks after his controversial visa row in Australia, which ended with Djokovic being deported before the start of the Australian Open.

Djokovic, 34, had arrived in Melbourne with a medical exemption against Covid-19 vaccination, but after the courts initially overturned the border force's decision to cancel his visa, the Australian government decided to remove him from the country and that decision was upheld.

Djokovic is also the French Open and Wimbledon champion, but his vaccination stance means his chances of defending those titles are also in doubt. The Serb, however, has stated that he is willing to sacrifice chances to win more titles rather than be forced to get a vaccine.

Now, he is aiming to put all that behind him and focus on tennis in Dubai. Djokovic has been a regular participant at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships throughout his career, competing 11 times since making his debut in 2007 and winning the title on five occasions, most recently in 2020.

Novak Djokovic, pictured with his wife, Jelena, gives a presentation at Expo 2020 Dubai about his foundation, which develops early childhood education projects in Serbia and gives grants to educational initiatives. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

"I always love Dubai. I love coming here. I have had plenty of tennis success here and I am excited to go out on the tennis court next Monday," Djokovic said during a visit to the Serbia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai to promote the work of Novak Djokovic Foundation.

"I miss tennis, honestly, after