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 was held from December 19 to 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 his way and beat his rival in the tie-break.
The nine-time Australian Open champion’s win couldn’t help his 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 won all of their championship games and qualified for the finals. 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 participant in the tournament, was present in the boxes and was able to see his performance up close and, through one of his social channels, expressed all his admiration: “The maestro working,” he commented, in a video uploaded like instagram story.
“Seeing Novak up close was amazing,” added the Canadian, posting another story. The Canadian player did not take to 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 just as much as his fans. “I always ask the best from myself so let’s see. Over the years I’ve been really fortunate to start very strong in Australia and I love playing there,” Djokovic said.
“After obviously what happened earlier this year, hopefully I can have a decent reception there and hopefully that can help me play some good tennis. I would like to play as long as I possibly can. I don’t have really any number in my head.
Things are progressing so far pretty well for me. 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 starting on January 1.
