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Novak Djokovic of Serbia shakes hands with Roger Federer of Switzerland at the net following victory in his Men’s Singles final during Day thirteen of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia shakes hands with Roger Federer of Switzerland at the net following victory in his Men’s Singles final during Day thirteen of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Over the years, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have played some memorable matches against each other. Their on-court rivalry began at the ATP Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo, Monaco in 2006. The Swiss maestro won that match 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. Further, Federer dominated the initial stages of their rivalry. However, the Serb has come back strongly and now leads Federer 27-23 in the head-to-head record.
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Further, Djokovic has had a disappointing start to the 2022 season. He failed to defend his Australian Open crown after his deportation from Australia. Additionally, he has his No. 1 ranking in danger, with Daniil Medvedev challenging him for the top spot. The Serb is in Dubai to play at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where he divulged in a talk on Federer’s record of 8 Dubai titles.
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Novak Djokovic opens up on overtaking Roger Federer’s record of 8 titles in Dubai
During the pre-tournament press conference, the 20-time Grand Slam champion revealed his chances of catching Federer’s record of 8 Dubai titles. He said, “It’s quite a longshot, I would say. He’s won it eight times. I won it I think five times. I don’t know how many more years I’m going to be playing on a high level and being one of the contenders to win the tournament.”
Djokovic on catching Federer's record of 8 Dubai titles: "It's quite a longshot, I would say. He's won it eight times. I won it I think five times. I don't know how many more years I'm going to be playing on a high level and being one of the contenders to win the tournament."
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) February 20, 2022
Further, Dubai happens to be one of the most successful places for the Swiss maestro, after Halle and Basel. He has won eight titles in Wimbledon and Dubai. On the other hand, Djokovic has 5 titles in Dubai, with the last one coming in 2020.
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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – FEBRUARY 29: Winner Novak Djokovic of Serbia and runner up Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece celebrate with the trophies after their men’s final match on Day 13 of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
Djokovic on his upcoming tournaments
On his tournaments after the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the Serb said, “I have to follow the rules. Whatever tournament I’m able to play I’ll be trying to get to that country & play the tournament. I really can’t choose right now. Wherever I have an opportunity I’ll be using that opportunity & going to play cuz this is what I love to do still.”
Djokovic: I have to follow the rules. Whatever tournament Im able to play I'll be trying to get to that country & play the tournament. I really cant choose right now. Wherever I have an opportunity I'll be using that opportunity & going to play cuz this is what I love to do still
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) February 20, 2022
Djokovic is the top seed in Dubai. Further, in the first round, he will take on Lorenzo Musetti of Italy who has been awarded a wild-card entry. Can the Serb win his first title of the season in Dubai? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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