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Novak Djokovic Australian Open 2022
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WATCH: Novak Djokovic ramps up preparation for 2022 debut in Dubai


Novak Djokovic has touched down in Dubai and has been spotted on court ahead of his first tournament in the new year. 

The world number one is making his 2022 debut at the ATP 500 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships next week.

Ahead of the event’s kick off on 21st February, Djokovic has been seen training at the Mouratoglou Tennis Center Jumeirah as he gears up for the tournament.

Djokovic is a five-time champion in Dubai, having last won the event in 2020 after triumphing there in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

Only Roger Federer has more championships there, with the Swiss claiming the trophy eight times in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2019.

Djokovic joins the likes of fellow top 10 stars Andrey Rublev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jannik Sinner there, as well as defending champion Aslan Karatsev and former world number one and 2017 winner Andy Murray.

The UAE is evidently a location that the 20-time Slam champion can travel to, with restrictions still in place on him due to his status of being unvaccinated against Covid-19.

The timing of such a tournament is pertinent, as Djokovic could see his number one ranking slip should he not succeed in Dubai, though he must rely on outside results regardless.

While Djokovic plays Dubai, world number two Daniil Medvedev jets off to Mexico for the Mexican Open in Acapulco.

If Medvedev wins the tournament in Acapulco, he will be crowned the new world number one whether or not Djokovic wins Dubai.

For other possibilities on who will be world number one at the end of next week, check out our article on the breakdown.

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