Jaziri ready for Djokovic challenge
dubai — Arab star Malek Jaziri couldn’t quite believe his luck, or the lack of it, after the draw for the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The Tunisian, who made it all the way to the semifinal here two years ago, will undergo a baptism by fire in the opening round this year. The 36-year-old has been drawn to play none other than top seed and world No.1 Novak Djokovic and he couldn’t help but break into a laugh.
It was no laughing matter this but then it is what it is and Jaziri is prepared to go up against the 17-time Grand Slam champion.
And Jaziri reckoned that facing the Serb, who last month won a record eighth Australian Open, could in fact turn out to be a blessing in disguise as it will be a good gauge to see where he stands.
Jaziri is on a comeback trail of sorts after being plagued with injuries. He was ranked a careerbest No.42 last year, but has now fallen to No.259. “I had a good pre-season this year, coming back slowly. Beginning of the year, I played in Pune last week, and played some challengers as well to get in rhythm. Still not the rhythm that I want but I’m improving every day, every week I’m getting much better and these kinds of matches against Novak (Djokovic) are good. It is good motivation for me and it is good to see where I am,” he added.
It is not the first time Jaziri is facing Djokovic here in Dubai, though. He had met him in the round of 16 in 2016.“I have nothing to lose. I will be playing against a player who is playing his best tennis right now. I will give my best.”