DUBAI: Novak Djokovic's return game in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis championships this week came apart against an unsuspecting Czech Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The Serb, playing only his third match in three months, leaned on the energy of the house, chants of 'Noo-Vaak, Noo-Vaak, Noo-Vaak', a plea, a prayer, however, couldn't get him up to the challenge.
Djokovic, who won just 10 points on the towering lefthander's second serve in the two-hour feature, went down 4-6, 6-7 (4) to the qualifier.
Djokovic, however, was quick to throw his weight behind German Alexander Zverev, who was withdrawn from the ATP tournament in Acapulco earlier in the week after he struck repeatedly on the seat of the chair umpire Alessandro Germani following his doubles loss.
The 34-year-old Serb, who shares a close bond with the 24-year-old, backed Zverev's apology on social media, where the German took responsibility for his 'unacceptable' conduct. "He said it all in that statement, he realizes that it was a mistake. I under- stand the frustration on the court, in the heat of battle, you feel lots of emotions, different things happening in y our head," said Djokovic, who was defaulted from the 2020 US Open when he inadvertently hit a lineswoman. "I have made mistakes. I've had tantrums on the court. I do not justify his actions. He has, with the words that he had in the statement, handled it in a right way."
"The disqualification decision was not too harsh. Hopefully, he can reflect on that and not let something like that happen ever again in his life," Djokovic said. "I'm sure he's going to approach it maturely."
Djokovic, however, refused to support a suspension or even a heavy fine for Zverev, saying that was not his decision to make. "I'm never going to encourage ATP disqualifying or fining a player because I'm not in a position to do that," he said. " Everyone is a human being. Everyone is flawed and can make mistakes."
At a time when stands are the new baseline in sport, Andrey Rublev, the second seed this week, endorsed peace as Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatened to smudge lines. The world No. 7, who had taken to social media with characters featuring the colours of the two nations hugging each other, said, nothing is more important than peace and unity.
The Russian, who rallied to score a 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 over American Mackenzie McDonald, said, "In these moments you understand that it doesn't matter how bad a day you may have had, the most important thing is to have, a clear sky and be healthy."
Rublev, who partnered Ukrainian veteran Denys Molchanov to the title in Marseille, is a popular character in the locker room.
"It's not about my match, how it affects me. What's happening is much more terrible," Rublev said, "You realize how important it is to have peace in the world and to respect each other, to be united no matter what. We should take care of our earth and of each other."
In another upset, fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland ousted fourth-seeded Jannik Sinner of Italy 6-3, 6-3.
