Novak Djokovic returns to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships hoping to extend his run of form that has seen him reach seven straight finals. Since he claimed a record-tying sixth Australian Open title (d. Murray) on 31 January, the World No. 1 has spent his downtime with his wife, Jelena, and son, Stefan.
"I've been spending a lot of time with my wife and child, leaving my racquet on the side," Djokovic told reporters on Sunday. "It's important to re-group, in order to prepare for the next three or four months. I went two weeks without touching a racquet... I am eager to come back and compete. I missed it.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2016: ATP Scores and Results from Monday
Novak Djokovic got his Dubai Duty Free Championships campaign off to a thunderous start on Monday after he stormed to a 6-1, 6-2 straight-sets victory over Tommy Robredo.
Djokovic chalks up win number 700 at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Tunisian Malek Jaziri during their ATP tennis match on the third round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on February 24, 2016. World number one Novak Djokovic recorded his 700th career win when he cruised past Tunisia's Malek Jaziri and into the Dubai quarter-finals. Djokovic won 6-1, 6-2 and will face Spain's Feliciano Lopez for a spot in the last four. (AFP/Getty Image)
Novak Djokovic’s streak of ATP World Tour finals reached will end at 17 after the World No. 1 retired against Feliciano Lopez in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Thursday. The Serb was down 3-6 before retiring.
“It's an eye problem,” Djokovic said. “I have had it ever since I arrived in Dubai. It started with an infection and then severe allergy.
“It's gotten worse in the last two days, unfortunately. It's the first time that I have had such a problem with the eye. It was ultra-sensitive today.”
Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis rolled back the years with some vintage tennis to advance through to the semi-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The former Australian Open finalist got the better of in-form Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5 6-0 to set-up a potential meeting with World No.1 Novak Djokovic in the last four.
Stan Wawrinka reaches Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships final after Nick Kyrgios retires
Stan Wawrinka reached his maiden Dubai final after Nick Kyrgios retired from their semi-final on Friday while trailing 6-4, 3-0.
Wawrinka, who prior to this week had never won a match on either of his previous two appearances in Dubai, entered his 22nd career final and is in search of a 13th title.
Stan Wawrinka captures first Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title
Stan Wawrinka captured his first Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title, winning a remarkable ninth consecutive ATP World Tour final, by defeating Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 7-6 (13) on Saturday night at the Aviation Club.