UAE- Djokovic missing injured Federer

Date

2/23/2016 2:08:34 PM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

holds a special place in his heart.

"I have seen this tournament grow and I have been an integral part of it" the 17-time Grand Slam winner once told reporters in Dubai.

Now Djokovic admits that the tournament is feeling the absence of its most successful player ever. And the Serb who started his own bid to win a fifth title here with a glorious exhibition of baseline tennis on Monday hoped for a quick return to the court for his great rival

"Well I'm not pleased to hear what happened to him" Djokovic said after his 6-1 6-2 first round win over veteran Spaniard Tommy Robredo at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on Monday night.

"I hope he recovers fast because we are not used to seeing him injured. He's very fit and he plays very well throughout the entire year.

"He's very important for our sport. He's the most successful player of this tournament. So for sure the tournament will miss him.

"But that doesn't change the way I approach this tournament. I will try to go as far as I can you know even with him not playing here" said Djokovic who would take on Tunisian wildcard Malek Jaziri in the next round on Wednesday. Very few people know that Djokovic often practises with the 32-year-old Tunisian player.

"Yes yes I have very good relationship with Malek. We got to know each other better and we got closer as friends in the IPTL. We played for the same team a year ago. He's very laid back very nice guy" the 11-time Grand Slam winner said.

"Obviously he wants to do well here. You know he's not from the UAE but he feels like he comes from this part of the world. He enjoys the support."

Jaziri was highly impressive in his straight sets win over former top player Mikhail Youzhny in the first round. "I saw a little bit of his match today. He played well. He has improved a lot" Djokovic said.

"I always thought he's very talented but working was not on his priority list every day!

"You know he just enjoys life a lot. It's great. But I think he has realised that he can play better if he works a little bit harder which he's doing now.

"He told me he had a great offseason and it's paying off. He won a couple of matches in Australia and here. Let's see what happens. He is quite different from Robredo. He stands closer to the line he has flat shots and better serve. I have to be ready for it."

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