Novak Djokovic set to make tennis return at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship

Novak Djokovic looks set to make his return to tournament action at next month’s ATP Tour event in Dubai.

The world No.1 has been named on the entry list for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships which get underway on February 21.

Djokovic has won the title five times in his career and the good news for the Serb is Dubai does not require entrants to be vaccinated against coronavirus.

The 34-year-old missed out on the chance to defend his Australian Open title this month after the unvaccinated star was denied a visa and deported from the country following lengthy court cases and appeals.

This will be Djokovic’s first tournament appearance since his Australian Open saga with the 20-time Grand Slam champion having spent time in his homeland since and remained quiet on the whole situation.

‘I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this,’ he said in a statement after the Federal Court dismissed his case.

‘I am extremely disappointed with the Court ruling to dismiss my application for judicial review of the Minister’s decision to cancel my visa, which means I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open.

‘I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country.’

While Djokovic may be on the entry list for next month’s Dubai tournament it remains to be seen where he goes from there.

In March, Djokovic will be hoping to play at Indian Wells and the Miami Open but his his vaccination status may mean he misses out.

The USA currently insists all arrivals must be vaccinated, meaning there is a strong chance after Dubai Djokovic may not make an appearance until Monte Carlo in April, the first