Djokovic: 'I'm almost at 100%'

Djokovic is the most successful tennis player in the Dubai Championship with five titles, winning 43 and losing only seven matches. But the 22 Grand Slam owner once lost shockingly to Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinals last year, when the Czech opponent ranked 123rd ATP.

"I've always liked Dubai, where I find myself unconditionally welcome," Djokovic said at a press conference ahead of today's ATP 500 tournament. "Over the past decade or so, the tournament has become an important part of me and many other men's and women's players. I feel like I'm close to 100 percent and I'm always aiming for the highest here."

The Dubai Championship was Djokovic's first appearance last season, after being expelled from Australia. He arrived in Dubai without a Covid-19 vaccination. But Nole played only two games, before losing to Vesely.

Djokovic will continue to hold the number one position in the world if he is crowned in Dubai this week, thanks to his competitor Carlos Alcaraz who just failed to defend his Rio Open title on February 26. The Serbian player is in the 379th week of holding the top of the ATP scoreboard - a record since tennis had a scorecard in 1973.

During a press conference in Dubai on February 26, Djokovic recalled the torn hamstring injury in Australia last month. He said he could not practice between the holidays of the tournament, but only practiced recovery. Nole believes that due to the careful preparation before the Grand Slam at the beginning of the year, especially the championship in Adelaide, has helped him conquer his 10th title in Melbourne.

Djokovic will meet Tomas Machac, another Czech player who is outside the top 100 ATP, in the first round of the Dubai Championship on February 28.