The year 2023 arrives and the last exhibition tournaments are held before the official start of the new season which, as usual, will start in Australia. Novak Djokovic, a 21-time Grand Slam champion, opted for the World Tennis League team event, which ran from December 19-24 in Dubai.
After suffering a humiliating straight-set loss to Alexander Zverev in his debut match, the Serb managed to redeem himself by beating the Austrian Ofner, albeit with difficulty. The former number one, down in the first set, turned the game around and beat his rival in the tie-break.
The nine-time Australian Open champion’s win couldn’t help her team win the match against the Comets, who lost the women’s singles and mixed doubles. With no team wins in the tournament, Nole’s team remained last in the standings.
Meanwhile, the Kites have won all of their championship games and qualified for the final. In the last act they will face the Hawks. The actions of the nine-time Australian Open champion did not go unnoticed. Eugenie Bouchard, also a tournament participant, was present in the boxes and was able to see his performance up close and, through one of her social networks, expressed all her admiration: «The maestro working,» she commented, in a video . uploaded as instagram story.
«Seeing Novak up close was amazing,» added the Canadian, posting another story. The Canadian player did not take the court on Friday as her teammate Sania Mirza took her place and partnered Holger Rune for the mixed doubles, while Iga Swiatek represented the team in the women’s singles.
Djokovic is the top seed in Adelaide
Novak Djokovic is looking forward to his return to the Australian Open as much as his fans. «I always ask for the best of myself so let’s see. Over the years I have been very lucky to start very strong in Australia and I love playing there,» Djokovic said.
«Obviously, after what happened earlier this year, I hope I can get a decent reception there and hopefully that can help me play some good tennis. I’d like to play as long as I can. I don’t really have any numbers in my head. .
Things are progressing pretty well for me so far. I can’t complain,» he said. «So as long as I play at this level, as long as I have the fire, I’ll keep going.» Novak Djokovic will travel to Adelaide for the ATP 250 event that begins on January 1.
