Novak Djokovic’s return to the tracks at the Dubai tournament has not been as calm as he had expected. The current world number 1 needed 2 hours and 27 minutes to get rid of the Czech. Thomas Macac (130 worlds), 22 years old, who had won the previous stage with scores of 6-3, 3-6 and 7-6 (1).
Djokovic’s 18th consecutive win since losing the Masters 1,000 final against the Danes in Paris-Bercy last November Holger Rune. Since then, the Serbian tennis player closed the year by winning the Masters in Turin and started 2023 by winning titles at the 22nd Grand Slam of his career, Adelaide and the Australian Open. The Serbian tennis player returned to the circuits after 30 days and this week 378 weeks as world number 1Breaking the record in German history Steffi Grafwith 377.
On the same Tuesday, Rafael Nadal formally endorsed the ATP. Absence at Indian Wells and Miami’s Masters 1,000 as he is recovering from a hip injury he suffered at the recent Australian Open. “I’m sorry I won’t be able to compete at Indian Wells and Miami, but I hope to see all my American fans on tour this summer,” said Nadal, who has already started preparing for the clay court. On his Twitter account, possibly in Monte Carlo (April 9).
Nadal, currently number 8 in the world, will have a hard time staying in the ‘top 10’ by failing to keep the 600 points he won in the Indian Wells final last year.