Novak Djokovic faces Italian teenager Lorenzo Musetti in Dubai next week in a tough first round comeback following the drama surrounding his Australian Open deportation.
Djokvoic is able to play in the tournament as a coronavirus vaccine is not a requirement to enter the United Arab Emirates.
The world number one makes his return to the court on Monday after the coronavirus vaccine row that kept him from defending his Australian Open title.
Djokovic and wild card Musetti have history, with the 19-year-old taking the first two sets off the Serb when they met in last year’s French Open.
Musetti eventually retired due to injury with Djokovic leading the last 16 clash 6-7 (7/9), 6-7 (2/7), 6-1, 6-0, 4-0.
Djokovic went on to seal the title at Roland Garros for his 19th Grand Slam, with his 20th secured at Wimbledon the following month.
The 34-year-old has kept a low profile since his deportation from Australia last month over his refusal to get jabbed.
“I am excited to go back and play on Monday,” he told media in Dubai on Thursday.
“I miss tennis after all that has happened.”
Spanish rival Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open to become the first man to win 21 major titles, one ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Djokovic, who last hit a ball in anger in the Davis Cup in Madrid in December, is a five-time winner in Dubai.
The event also features Britain’s Andy Murray, who has three major titles to his name and who will start against a qualifier.
Second seed Andrey Rublev has a first round date with Britain’s Dan Evans, while Saturday’s draw pitted last year’s Dubai winner Aslan Karatsev against American Mackenzie McDonald.
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