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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 10: Novak Djokovic of Serbia talks with Andy Murray of Great Britain before their practice match ahead of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 10, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 10: Novak Djokovic of Serbia talks with Andy Murray of Great Britain before their practice match ahead of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 10, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have played some memorable matches against each other. Their on-court rivalry began at the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid, Spain in 2006. Novak Djokovic won that encounter in three sets. Further, the Serb has dominated the battles between the two greats. He has won 25 matches, while Murray has prevailed on 11 occasions.
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The two players are in Dubai to take part in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Recently, Murray has opened up on the Serb’s participation in the coming major tournaments.
Andy Murray feels Novak Djokovic should play major events for the betterment of tennis
The British tennis star was asked to comment his views on Djokovic’s participation in the coming Grand Slam tournaments. He said, “It would be better for tennis if he was playing all the major events.”
Imago
Novak Djokovic of Serbia (R) shakes hands with Andy Murray of Great Britain(L) after winning during their tennis match on the final match at the Qatar ATP Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, capital of Qatar, on January 07, 2017. Novak Djokovic won the title 2-1 (Xinhua/Nikku) (Photo by Xinhua/Sipa USA)
Further, he added, “There is consequences to the decisions he’s made just now. He obviously has to accept that. But I don’t think it’s great for tennis if our best player is not competing in the major events.”
Murray on Djokovic: "It would be better for tennis if he was playing all the major events.
There is consequences to the decisions he's made just now. He obviously has to accept that. But I don't think it's great for tennis if our best player is not competing in the major events"— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) February 21, 2022
Earlier, Djokovic had stated that he doesn’t intend to play a full season. He’ll follow the rules and play wherever the country allows him to play. Further, he said that his situation was different and he can’t really choose between the tournaments.
The two players at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
While the 20-time Grand Slam champion breezed through the first round, Murray had to grind it hard for his opening round victory. Djokovic was up against the Italian youngster Lorenzo Musetti. He took little time in dispatching the 19-year-old, winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and 14 minutes. The Serb will next face the winner of Karen Khachanov vs Alex de Minaur’s match.
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Tennis – ATP 500 – Dubai Tennis Championships – Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – February 21, 2022 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his first round match against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti REUTERS/Suhaib Salem TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
On the other hand, Andy Murray fought hard to win the first-round clash 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 7-5 against Christopher O’Connell of Australia. He will next take on the winner of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Jannik Sinner’s match.
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Can Djokovic win his first title of the season in Dubai? Let us know your views in the comments below.
