Novak Djokovic opponent idolises Roger Federer and shared message taunting world No 1

Djokovic row: Andrew Allison defends him, saying its his 'choice'

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Novak Djokovic is set to face Lorenzo Musetti in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships in his first tournament since his Australian Open controversy. And his opponent will be even more determined to beat him after quotes resurfaced in which he said Djokovic’s Grand Slam-record rival Roger Federer was his idol.

The pair faced off at the French Open last year in the last-16, with the 19-year-old Italian taking a surprise 2-0 lead at Roland Garros.

But after losing the third and fourth sets 6-1 and 6-0, he retired in the fifth set at 4-0 down after picking up an injury.

His aim for revenge will come on Sunday, in what will be Djokovic’s first competitive game of the calendar year.

And the result will mean a lot for Musetti if he manages an upset given that he classes Federer as his idol.

“My sporting role model for sure is Roger Federer,” Musetti said to ‘Tennis Up To Date’.

“I study him and I’m a huge fan of him. I really want to be like him in everything, on and off the court.”

That isn’t the only indication that Federer is rated highly by the Italian.

His last two retweets are photographs of Federer beating Djokovic, indicating his respect for the Swiss star.

Djokovic missed out on the chance to edge ahead in the race for the most Grand Slam titles of all-time after he was not allowed to compete in the Australian Open due to his refusal to be vaccinated.

The Serbia’n’s absence opened the door for Rafael Nadal to clinch his 21st title, which takes him ahead of Djokovic’s 20.

But the Belgrade-born star claims he is not against being jabbed.

“I was never against vaccination,” he told the BBC.

“But I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.

“Because the principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else. I’m trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can.

“I was never against vaccination. I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus.”

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