Novak Djokovic returns to action with solid win over Lorenzo Musetti in Dubai

Novak Djokovic returned to competition for the first time since his deportation from Australia last month. He played at a high level as he defeated the wildcard Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-3 and reached the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Monday.

Eight weeks into the new tennis season, Djokovic’s victory marked his first match of the year and he was content with how he navigated the situation.

“All in all, it’s a straight-sets win so of course I have to be satisfied with my tennis,” Djokovic said. “Especially after not playing for almost three months. Of course there were moments when I played great, there were moments when I made a couple of unforced errors in a row, uncharacteristically, but it’s normal.”

With the next tournaments on Djokovic’s calendar uncertain because he is unvaccinated, the crowd in Dubai made the most of the first sighting of the world No 1.

Djoovic, who has won this title five times, entered the court to a loud ovation from an audience awash with Serbian flags, frequent chants of “Nole, Nole” and one spectator even carrying a flag with the hashtag “#WeStandWithNovakDjokovic” written across it.

Although he continued to undertake daily fitness sessions upon his return from Australia, Djokovic did not train for 10 days as he dealt with his emotions from the events in Melbourne, only picking up a racket two and a half weeks ago.

Despite some rustiness, Djokovic played a solid match, dictating his young Italian opponent from inside the baseline, serving well in the few tense moments and flipping spectacularly from defence to attack a number of times as a reminder of his supreme talent.

This week marks one of the most significant moments of the year for Djokovic. After being