Novak Djokovic set to compete in Dubai after missing Australian Open

World number one Novak Djokovic is set to make his return to action in Dubai next month.

The 34-year-old was deported from Australia on the eve of the Australian Open after losing a court bid to overturn his visa cancellation.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner is on the entry list for the Dubai ATP Tour event, which begins on 21 February.

Entrants to Dubai, where the Serb is a five-time winner, do not need to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Tennis Australia said it “deeply regrets” the impact Djokovic’s deportation saga had on players at the Australian Open, as the focus on the 2021 champion’s fate overshadowed the build-up to this year’s tournament.

Djokovic was initially granted a medical exemption to enter Australia by two independent health panels after testing positive for coronavirus in mid-December, however the Australian Border Force detained him for not meeting federal COVID-19 requirements. (BBC)

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