Novak Djokovic said Roger Federer's absence at the Dubai Tennis Championships 2016 in UAE will not affect his intentions of dominating the tournament en route to a fifth title at the event.
Djokovic is the massive favourite to win the Dubai Tennis Championships this year, with Federer out of the tournament for only the third time since 2002 after undergoing a knee surgery that repaired his left torn meniscus. The Serb wished the Swiss Maestro of a speedy recovery, but admitted he was not happy with Federer's absence.
"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," Djokovic said, reports Sports360.
"Again, that doesn't change much in the way I approach this tournament. I will try to go as far as I can, even with him not playing here."
Djokovic has had to share success with Federer at the tournament in the past seven years. Last year, the 28-year-old lost to Federer in the final round of the event, but will have a chance at redemption this season with lesser competition in front of him.
After cruising past Spain's Tommy Robredo in the opening round 6-1 6-2, Djokovic will face an opponent he has yet to encounter in wildcard qualifier Malek Jaziri of Tunisia.
Jaziri, a good friend of Djokovic, is coming off a winless campaign at the start of the season before defeating Russia's Mikhail Youzhny in the first round 6-4 6-1.
Despite being the underdog against Djokovic, Jaziri is still banking on his chances to win over the 11-time Grand Slam winner.
"He's playing his best tennis now, and is true he's beating everyone. But I will be on court like all the matches," Jaziri said. "In tennis you never know. That's part of this beautiful game. Who knows? Maybe I wake up on a good day."
Meanwhile, second seed Stan Wawrinka will face Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky in the opening round, while third seed and 2014 runner-up Tomas Berdych meets Joao Sousa.