Novak said he is looking forward to the match with Croatian Marin Cilic in Round 1 in Dubai, where he is #3 seed: 'It's always a challenge when you play against a player for the first time. As World #3 I am a favorite in that match and I have great expectations. Preasure is a part of sport, only the toughest ones can deal with it. Cilic doesn't have anything to lose, he will be motivated, he will look for his chance'.
Novak said he likes playing in Dubai and always had good support from the crowd: 'I played well last year. Here are a lot of Serbs and I hope to receive support from the audiance. I saw they (Serbian supporters) had interesting coreography last week in Women's Tournament with flags, shirts... I'll be happy if I receive the same support'.
Novak said he recovered from the problems he dealt with during last month when he missed first Davis Cup match, later was eliminated early from Marseille and passed to participate in Rotterdam Tournament: 'I got several days of rest, I tried to recover and get healthy. I prepared myself in Monte Carlo and I think I am fully ready for the continuation of the season'.
On day 1, there were already surprises in Dubai, World #1 and #1 seed Roger Federer lost to Andy Murray, it's in no sense a custom to see Roger lose in Round 1 of any Tournament. Dubai is a $1.42 in prize money ahead of the Masters Series Tournaments in Indian Walles (13th of March) and Miami (27th of March) with incombine prize money 7.36 million.
Novak will play firs match tomorrow (Tuesday, March 4th) and we hope to see him in a stellar performance considering he took enough time to rest, prepare and must be eager for tennis and wins. Roger is out and this is not a clay surface where Rafael Nadal dominates, Novak is now pretty much the favorite to win Dubai.
