"So far most of the players I've seen - I haven't seen many - but most of the ones I've seen have been positive and welcoming. It's nice obviously. I can't not say that was the case in Australia. It was a bit strange. But here everything is going well so far," the 34-year-old Serb told a press conference on the eve of his first round match against the Italian Lorenzo Musetti.

Djokovic, who had already spoken this week on his arrival in Dubai and then to the Serbian media, once again indicated that what had happened in Australia had "disappointed" and "saddened" him, but that it did not had in no way dampened his motivation to play.

"I've been back to training for two and a half weeks, three weeks. I'm enjoying it. I like the game, I just like hitting the ball, so it wasn't really difficult for me to pick up a racket , to go on a court and practice," said Djokovic, who is aiming for a sixth title in Dubai.

Limited choices

"Knowing that I was coming to Dubai, I had something to prepare for, I had a goal. So now that I'm here I can say that I'm as prepared as I can be and I'm excited to play on the circuit again," he explained.

Novak Djokovic during a press briefing in Dubai on February 20, 2022, on the eve of his entry into the Emirati tournament jorge ferrari Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship / AFP

The holder of 20 Grand Slam titles will be all the more motivated as he is aware that his world No.1 crown is at stake this week.

His dolphin, the Russian Daniil Medvedev, could delight him if he wins the Acapulco tournament, which is being played in parallel.

And this regardless of Djokovic's results in Dubai.

"He deserves to be number 1," the Serb said of Medvedev on Sunday.

"It will eventually happen. If it happens this week, I will be the first to congratulate him," added Djokovic, who begins his record 361st week at the top of the world rankings on Monday.

Returning to the continuation of his program for this year, Djokovic, who indicated this week to the BBC that he was ready to give up playing certain tournaments, including Grand Slams, to defend his choice not to be vaccinated, acknowledged that his choices were limited.

"I can't really choose right now. It's really about where I can go and play. Wherever an opportunity comes up I'll probably use it and go play because that's always what I like to do,” he explained.

"I just have to follow the rules. Whatever tournament I can participate in, I will try to go to this country and play it," he said, without commenting on his possible participation in the next Masters. Indian Wells 1000 (March 7-20).

Novak Djokovic in training in Dubai on February 20, 2022 Karim SAHIB AFP

The Serb is on the entry list for the Californian tournament.

But as a non-vaccinated person, he has, for the moment, no right to enter the territory of the United States.

The world number 1 can participate in the Dubai tournament because a coronavirus vaccine is not compulsory to enter the United Arab Emirates, where 895 new cases of contamination were announced on Thursday.

© 2022 AFP