Ajax and Abdelhak Nouri's family have agreed a €7.85million (£6.54m) settlement as compensation for "inadequate" medical treatment that left the midfielder with brain damage.
Nouri suffered a cardiac arrest during a pre-season friendly against Werder Bremen in July 2017 that resulted in serious permanent damage to the brain.
Ajax have paid for his treatment and care ever since, and will continue to do so, after accepting responsibility that the medical attention provided to Nouri was "inadequate".
The reigning Eredivisie champions announced on Monday that they had reached an amicable agreement, instead of going to the KNVB Arbitration Committee, after Nouri's family sued the club.
Edwin van der Sar general manager AFC Ajax said on the settlement: "It is good that an agreement has been reached, so that we can conclude this.
"We all realise that the suffering for Abdelhak and his loved ones is not over. It remains a very sad situation, that's how we feel here at Ajax too.
"We greatly appreciate the way the family takes care of Abdelhak day and night with a lot of love and attention. When I visit him, I am always welcomed with open arms by the family.
"That also applies to other Ajax colleagues and we appreciate that enormously. The bond between Ajax and the Nouri family will always remain.
"Not only because of the Abdelhak Nouri Trophy, which the family hands out annually to the greatest talent of our education.
"Also because we have decided to give the number 34 to the Nouri family. At Ajax, the number 34 will never be played again, unless the Nouri family and Ajax want to make an exception together.
"The dressing room furniture of Abdelhak will also be placed in the Ajax fan shoo, next to the main entrance of the ArenA [Ajax's stadium].
"We have carefully preserved that in the stadium in recent years and we are now going to give a beautiful place that is accessible to everyone."
Scotland have called up six new players to their Six Nations squad ahead of their meeting with France after a series of injuries and withdrawals.
Gregor Townsend's side sit fourth in the table after a 20-17 opening-round win over England preceded a loss to Wales by the same scoreline.
Scotland next face leaders France on Saturday at Murrayfield, but they will be without a host of familiar faces as more names were added to their growing absentee list.
Rory Sutherland, Javan Sebastian, Jonny Gray, Scott Cummings and Cam Redpath have all returned to their respective clubs after suffering injuries.
As a result, Glasgow Warriors pair Ollie Smith and Kiran McDonald could be in line for their first international caps after being drafted in.
Simon Berghan, Oli Kebble, Marshall Sykes and James Lang are the other four introductions to the camp, with Josh Bayliss also available after missing the opening two games due to concussion.
"This is a great opportunity for the new players to impress," Townsend said after the announcement of the alterations to his playing squad.
"There are often changes made to the squad throughout the championship and it is a challenge we are much better equipped to deal with given our current squad depth."
Forward Gray is set to miss the rest of the tournament with an ankle injury, but Townsend added that the rest of the absentees will be monitored before the final two games against Italy and Ireland.
Bayern Munich have announced that Thomas Muller has tested positive for COVID-19.
The veteran forward contracted the virus for the first time in February 2021 following the Club World Cup in Doha.
Muller has now returned a positive coronavirus test for a second occasion, with the reigning Bundesliga champions confirming he will serve another period of self-isolation.
That likely rules him out of the clash with Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday as Julian Nagelsmann's side look to extend their six-point advantage at the summit of the German top flight.
Muller may target a return for the meeting with Bayer Leverkusen on March 5, dependent on when he returns a negative test and comes back into training.
The Germany international's absence will serve as a blow for the Bavarian team, given he leads the assist charts this season across all competitions at Bayern (19).
Muller has 10 goals to his name - only Robert Lewandowski (39), Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry (both 12) have managed more - and has created a team-leading 89 chances, 20 more than any team-mate.
The 32-year-old has played the most games for his side this term as well (33), and his absence will frustrate Nagelsmann, who is still without Manuel Neuer after he required knee surgery.
The goalkeeper did, however, return to light training on Monday so could provide a boost for Bayern in the near future, with Alexander Nubel currently deputising in goal.
Thomas Tuchel freely admitted he is unsure about how to get more from Romelu Lukaku after the striker endured a particularly quiet 90 minutes against Crystal Palace at the weekend.
A last-gasp goal from Hakim Ziyech clinched Chelsea a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park, but much of the post-game focus was on Lukaku's impact – or lack of.
The Belgium international had just seven touches across the entire match, the fewest ever recorded in a single Premier League match for a player to feature for at least 90 minutes since Opta started collecting the data (2003-04).
Remarkably, just two of those were in the first half and one was from kick-off, and Tuchel suggested after the game that it did not say much about Chelsea "in general".
Chelsea now turn their attention to the Champions League and hosting Lille on Tuesday, but Lukaku's performance and general struggles at the club were once again at the fore.
Asked how he can get Lukaku more involved, Tuchel said: "What can I do? I don't know.
"We have to deal with it. The data is out there and the data speaks a certain language. He was not involved in our game, it's sometimes like this.
"It's, of course, not what we want or Romelu wants, but it's not the time to laugh about him and makes jokes about him."
It was put to Tuchel that the disruption caused by long-term injuries to wing-backs Ben Chilwell and Reece James, who were key during the early months of the season, could have played a part in Lukaku's lack of cohesion with the rest of the team after a promising start.
"Every style changes with long-term injuries of key players," he continued. "We played many games with a back three and wing-backs and two of the key wing-backs are Reece and Chilly [Chilwell], who got injured at their peak level. They had a huge impact on our game offensively and defensively.
"So of course, this changes but we are not the only team where these players have the huge impact and in our system the wing-backs are a crucial position.
"Still, we can also play and win games without any player, this is our job and what we want to do. This is what we try when we have injuries or COVID cases. It's on us and me to adapt and find solutions.
"There is a history of strikers struggling at Chelsea, so it may not be the easiest place in the world for strikers.
"In my opinion, Chelsea are a team considered a strong defensive team, a physical team, that has a certain attitude when in competitive football.
"We demand a lot of our strikers in terms of defending. We want to be physical, hard-working group that wants to play a physical game as well as a skilful game.
"We are on the subject and are well aware, but like always in football it's not just one reason to sort. It's a complex sport and we will continue to play with faith, with a team effort, and it's what we do."
Massimiliano Allegri remains optimistic about Juventus' chances of succeeding in the Coppa Italia and the Champions League.
The Bianconeri occupy the final Champions League qualification spot in Serie A, three points ahead of fifth-placed Atalanta, who have a game in hand.
Allegri's team struggled to find their feet at the start of the season, but they are now unbeaten across seven games in all competitions, including a 2-1 win over Sassuolo that booked their spot in the Coppa Italia semi-final - where they will meet Fiorentina across a two-legged tie.
While the 54-year-old has repeatedly quashed claims that Juve could mount a late charge for the Scudetto, he suggested his side fancy their chances in the other two competitions they are in.
"We play to win, both the Cup and the Champions League, then obviously it all depends on how things go," Allegri told reporters ahead of Tuesday's away first-leg clash with Villarreal in the Champions League last 16.
"How does our approach change with the new away goals rule? I don't know yet, in the meantime let's think about getting a result.
"Order, technique and patience: it is unlikely that the next round will be decided on Tuesday. The derby [a 1-1 draw with Torino] was a hard-fought game, Juve played a good game, but you always need to be calm and balanced in the analysis.
"At the beginning of the season against Torino, we would have lost. I'm happy with the team's approach, so I want to see them play well with and without the ball against Villarreal. We will have to be both good and lucky."
Juve's upturn in form has coincided with the January signing of Dusan Vlahovic, who moved from Fiorentina in a deal that could be worth up to €80million.
However, Juve will be without talisman Paulo Dybala – who leads the club scoring and assist charts this season (12 goals, six assists) – after the forward sustained a muscle injury against Torino.
In the Argentina international's absence, Allegri confirmed that new star Vlahovic will be supported by Alvaro Morata, who has scored in two of his last four appearances against Villarreal in all competitions (two goals).
"Alvaro Morata and Vlahovic play up top, then let's see for the rest," he continued. "I have some doubts in midfield.
"We must not give an excessive load of responsibility to Vlahovic - this is his [Champions League] debut, let's not forget that. I must also protect him as I have done with others. He is just 22 years old."
Allegri has progressed from four of his previous five round-of-16 ties in charge of Juventus in the Champions League, with his only elimination coming against Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich in 2015-16.
Meanwhile, Villarreal head coach Unai Emery has only won one of his six games as a head coach in the knockout stages of the competition (D1 L4), losing each of the last three in a row, but Allegri reserved praise for his opposite number.
"It is not an easy tie - Villarreal have a good coach, they have technique, physicality and also they have come from a good period," he added. "On our part, we will have to bring maximum effort."
Manuel Neuer's eventual exit from Bayern Munich will be a "bigger problem" than Robert Lewandowski departing, according to former boss Felix Magath.
Neuer joined the Bavarian side from Schalke in 2011 and holds the record for the most clean sheets in the Bundesliga (209), having surpassed Oliver Kahn (196) in 2021.
The Germany international's contract is due to expire at the end of the next season, when he will be 37, leading to speculation over his future at Julian Nagelsmann's team.
The goalkeeper has been absent in recent weeks after undergoing knee surgery, coinciding with a downturn in Bayern form.
Nagelsmann's side were downed 4-2 by Bochum in their first game without their captain and were then held by Salzburg before ending a poor run of form with a 4-1 win over Greuther Furth last time out.
Neuer returned to light training on Monday and Magath, who completed consecutive doubles in charge of Bayern between in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons, believes the 35-year-old is more important to the reigning Bundesliga champions than talisman Lewandowski.
"Bayern and the national team live strongly from Manuel Neuer," Magath said to German outlet Kicker, adding: "Marc-Andre ter Stegen can be very good, but he doesn't have Neuer's charisma. Manuel is a stroke of luck for German football."
When pushed for a comparison between Neuer and Lewandowski, Magath responded: "It will be a bigger problem for Bayern when Neuer is gone."
Neuer helped Bayern earn a 3-2 home win over RB Leipzig in his last outing, as he matched Oliver Kahn's all-time record of 310 Bundesliga wins by a player. He achieved the first 77 wins with Schalke.
Meanwhile, Lewandowski has again been in scintillating form this campaign, scoring 39 times across all competitions – 14 more than any other player across Europe's top-five leagues.
The Poland forward currently finds the net once every 71.2 minutes on average, with only Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland managing goals at a faster rate among those to have scored 15 or more in the same group.
While Neuer's return date remains unconfirmed, Lewandowski will hope to continue his prolific term as Bayern look to extend their six-point advantage at the Bundesliga summit when they face Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
David de Gea hinted he could spend the rest of his career at Manchester United.
De Gea joined United in 2011 from Atletico Madrid, who the Red Devils face in the last 16 of the Champions League, the first leg of which is at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday.
During his time in England, De Gea progressed from a young prospect to one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
While his form over the previous few years appeared to dip, he has seemingly been back to his best in 2021-22.
According to Opta data, only Kepa Arrizabalaga has prevented more goals (10.5) than De Gea (7.9) across all competitions among goalkeepers at Premier League clubs.
Wednesday's clash will be De Gea's first match against Atletico since leaving them over a decade over, and the occasion offered him the chance to reflect on his affinity with both clubs.
"I like the fact I was born in Madrid, but at the end of the day, it's just a city," he told UEFA.
"Now I feel as if I'm from Manchester. I just feel like anyone else from Manchester. Where you are loved and welcomed is your home.
"I've been here for many years and, obviously, anything can happen in life, in the world of football, but honestly I don't see myself away from Manchester United.
"Of course, I'm going back home [for this tie], I'm going back to the club that gave me the opportunity to be who I am today. But this is just another match.
"Everyone wants to play well, we want to win, it is a Champions League match. Obviously, I wish Atletico all the best, but I don't know whether the fact we're playing them is a good or bad omen.
"Everyone is going there to win, especially me."
De Gea's United contract expires in June next year, though United have the option to extend it for a further 12 months.
His comments would seem to suggest he sees himself signing another contract that expires beyond that date, however.
De Gea will be one of Ralf Rangnick's first picks as United go to Madrid for the first leg, before hosting Atletico at Old Trafford on March 15.
Taulupe Faletau has been called up to the Wales squad for the remainder of the Six Nations ahead of their clash with England on Saturday.
The Bath forward suffered a leg injury in the second Test between the British and Irish Lions and South Africa in July, leading to a seven-month injury lay-off.
Faletau returned to action with a brief stint against Wasps earlier in February before playing the whole game against Leicester Tigers last Saturday.
Christ Tshiunza has been sent back to Exeter Chiefs with a hamstring problem, opening the door for Faletau – who has 86 international caps to his name – to come into Wayne Pivac's squad for the visit to Twickenham.
"It was a rolled ankle, and I probably ran back too early and just had issues with my calves for a rolling two weeks that ended up being seven months," Faletau said of his previous leg injury.
"It was a rolling two weeks for a long time, then I would get to the end of that two weeks, I would run again and it would ping again. It was basically that for the whole time.
"I am just enjoying getting out there, whether it's Bath or Wales. Whatever it is, I just want to enjoy the games because seven months out wasn't fun."
The 31-year-old will leave Bath to join Cardiff Rugby at the end of the season.
Current coach Neal Hatley reserved special praise for the back rower, who he feels will be an undoubted success on the international stage again.
"He is like a chameleon," Hatley said. "You put him in a level up and he just blends in.
"He has that innate ability that, whatever the quality of the players he is playing with, he is the best player on the pitch and he has done that for ages."
Pivac's next decision will be whether to include Faletau in his matchday squad against Eddie Jones' England, after Taine Basham, Jac Morgan and Ross Moriarty all performed strongly against Scotland.
Wales sit fifth in the Six Nations table after bouncing back from a 29-7 loss against Ireland with a 20-17 victory over Scotland in round two as they look to defend their title.
Manchester United's season will be defined over the next month, according to former Red Devils captain Gary Neville.
United defeated Leeds United 4-2 on Sunday to extend their advantage over fifth-placed West Ham to four points as the top-four race for Champions League qualification continues to twist and turn.
Arsenal are down in sixth, also four points behind United, but the Gunners boast three games in hand heading into the crunch period of the Premier League campaign.
With trips to Manchester City and Liverpool to come in March, sandwiched by a home clash with Tottenham, Neville believes the upcoming month will be pivotal for Ralf Rangnick's side.
Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville said: "They are playing Atletico Madrid away on Wednesday; they have got Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City coming up.
"It is a big month and that month is going to define the season in terms of finishing in the top four and progressing in the Champions League.
"There is a lot of stuff coming out on a continuous basis: the captaincy, who they want as the next manager, cliques in the dressing room.
"All that sort of stuff comes out, but they do continue to keep having those big moments in matches where their brilliant players can still deliver for them and they do win games in moments.
"They have got to stop those mad moments, those five-minute periods where they concede two goals, because if you concede two against City, Liverpool or Atletico, you are out of the game.
"Manchester United needed these points in the bag. It is inconceivable that, coming out of Tottenham at home, Manchester City away and Liverpool away that they are going to get seven to nine points.
"They could easily come out of those three games with four points or five points or three points - you don't know. They are the type of games in any season over the last five or 10 years you could lose.
"If you are Ralf Rangnick, you have got to plan that you are going to drop points in those three matches, not that you would foresee it or want it, but it could happen.
"These points that he has got from these last few matches will be needed. If you had said to me when Rangnick took over with the run of fixtures that they have got, this is where I would have wanted them to have been, maybe a point or two in front.
"I still don't think it is plain-sailing and I still think it could turn quite quickly as I don't think it is stable behind the scenes at all."
Rangnick was appointed in the wake of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure from Old Trafford, with the German arriving on an interim basis with an agreement for a two-year consultancy role after.
There were some suggestions that Rangnick could continue in charge after the 2021-22 campaign, but Neville insisted that United will have a new manager in place for the following season.
"I don't think he gets the job at the end of the season, come what may, now," he added.
"Maybe there was a feeling at the beginning that it could happen; that isn't going to happen. Manchester United will have a new manager next season.
"He will have a say in who gets the job because what he has got is a real good view of the characters, personalities, performance levels and training levels of the current group of players so he is in a strong position to advise.
"He is probably in the strongest position to advise because he is having day-to-day contact with them. He is seeing how they cope with disappointment, how they cope with atmospheres, how they cope with big games, how they cope with training; can they meet the demands of the club? Have they got the quality?
"People say he is a sporting director and a coach, but the reality is that his position as a coach is short-term; his position as assisting the club, constructing their new methodology and structure moving forward is a longer term position for two years.
"I'd rather him get that bit right; I'd rather suffer in the short-term for the longer-term perspective being right. He has got good experience around building structures in football clubs and Manchester United do need that.
"The manager has got to be right next season to be able to take on [Thomas] Tuchel, [Pep] Guardiola and [Jurgen] Klopp because if you don't take on those three with a manager who can face them like-for-like, you will get beat up.
"It has been proven over the last few years that great managers in this league will bring you great things; Manchester United need a great manager to compete with the ones that are at that level in this league at this moment in time."
There has been a fresh call for temporary concussion substitutes from England's Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) after Leeds United were criticised for allowing Robin Koch back on to the pitch after sustaining a head injury.
Koch collided with Scott McTominay during the first half of Leeds' 4-2 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, with the German requiring lengthy treatment.
The blow to the defender's head led to blood pouring down onto his face and requiring a significant amount of bandaging.
He was initially brought back on to the pitch but was then withdrawn 15 minutes later after sitting down on the pitch looking groggy, subsequently requiring support as he was guided off the field.
The Premier League introduced a trial of additional permanent concussion substitutions (APCS) in February last year, with regulations stating that "if there are clear symptoms of concussion, or the video provides clear evidence of concussion, the team will be permitted to apply to replace the player with an additional permanent concussion substitution."
Leeds did not use an APCS, and the fact Koch was later taken off looking unwell led to the club being widely criticised in the media and on social media.
The PFA believes the incident proves APCS – the trial of which was extended into this season – are not working and should be replaced with temporary substitutions to decrease the pressure on those involved to make quick, and potentially risky, decisions.
"The injury to Leeds United's Robin Koch demonstrates again that the current concussion protocols within football are failing to prioritise player safety," a statement read.
"The 'if in doubt, sit them out' protocol is not being applied consistently within the pressurised environment of elite competitive football.
"We see frequent incidents of players returning to play with a potential brain injury, only to be removed shortly afterwards once symptoms visibly worsen.
"As the representative voice of players in England, we have been clear to the IFAB [International Football Association Board] that we want to see the introduction of temporary concussion substitutes.
"Temporary concussion substitutes will allow medical teams additional time and an appropriate environment to make an initial assessment.
"Introducing temporary substitutes would allow a match to restart with neither side numerically disadvantaged, reducing pressure on players and medical teams to make quick decisions on whether an injured player continues.
"Put simply, the current rules set by the IFAB are not working, and players are being put at risk."
Rafael Nadal would "welcome" seeing Novak Djokovic play at future grand slam tournaments if he is granted permission to do so unvaccinated against COVID-19.
World number one Djokovic has courted controversy for his views on being jabbed and was last month deported from Australia on the eve of the Australian Open.
Djokovic has confirmed he is willing to miss future slams after stating he was prioritising his right to choose what to put into his body above his sporting ambitions.
In Djokovic's absence, Nadal became Australian Open champion and now has 21 titles – the most for a male player.
Nadal believes that any further omissions from Djokovic would only be harmful to the Serbian's chances of history not the slams themselves, but he would have no issue with his rival playing in the sport's biggest tournaments.
Speaking ahead of his return to the ATP Tour in Acapulco, Nadal said: "It will affect Novak's [grand slam] history if he can't play.
"It will affect him, not the grand slams themselves. Whoever wins the most slams – it will be what it will be. Everyone takes their own decisions and must live with them.
"In that sense, hopefully the pandemic subsides and we stop having so many deaths around the world and this horror ends, and we can return to normality – not for Novak but for the world in general.
"There are many people that have suffered, but if Novak can play the grand slams unvaccinated, then he is welcome."
Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev in an epic Melbourne showpiece to become the first man to 21 slams, but he says the achievement has not changed his life.
"Absolutely nothing has changed having 21 slams, I won't lie to you," he added.
"From 20 to 21 there is not a very large difference. Life goes on exactly the same. The only thing that has changed is that now I play tennis, which a few months ago I couldn't.
"I am very happy for everything that happened in Australia, it was very unexpected, especially before the tournament started. In my life, nothing has changed. No title is going to change what is important in my life, which are other things.
"Already, at 35 years old, I have a lot of experiences behind me, of successes and bad moments and these sensations already help me to live in a more calm and different way."
Pep Guardiola told his Manchester City side to prepare to "fight for every game" after a weekend that saw the Premier League title race blown wide open.
City were beaten 3-2 by Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday – Harry Kane scoring a last-gasp winner shortly after Riyad Mahrez had levelled from the penalty spot.
That result followed Liverpool coming from behind to defeat Norwich 3-1, and the Reds can close the gap to leaders City to three points by beating Leeds United in their game in hand on Wednesday.
The top two also have to face off again this term at the Etihad in April and Guardiola acknowledged his side need to accumulate a huge haul to hold off high-flying Liverpool.
"We have to fight for every game and every game we are going to win we will be closer," Guardiola said.
"I said weeks ago we have to make a lot of points to be champions and this is what we will try to do.
"I think we performed well – honestly. I never said the title race was over. It's normal. In January and February the teams at the bottom won their games because everyone fights for everything. It will be difficult. We know it.
"But it's happened. We lost a game. We will recover with training sessions and prepare for the next game."
City had 71 per cent of possession against Spurs but were never ahead in the game.
"They defended in the 18-yard box and it was so difficult," Guardiola said.
"They allowed us to go outside and closed all the channels inside, and then after that they could run with their quality but they didn't run much. It was difficult.
"Every time we played inside we had to then move outside and we arrived there and crossed. But for many reasons we were not there to score.
"The first goal came from the quality they have and the second is difficult to defend and the third was our mistake. We were close to drawing, and maybe winning, but congratulations to Spurs."
Thomas Tuchel has moved to manage expectations of Chelsea ahead of a crucial week that will see them return to Champions League action and contest the EFL Cup final.
Chelsea played their first Premier League game in nearly a month on Saturday, beating Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park thanks to a late Hakim Ziyech goal.
In the intervening month, Chelsea progressed in the FA Cup and won the Club World Cup for the first time, defeating Palmeiras in extra-time.
Tuchel complained about Chelsea's packed schedule after beating Palace, acknowledging his team looked "a bit drained and exhausted".
But they have little time for rest with Lille visiting Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday and then a showdown with Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday, as Chelsea look to claim a second trophy of the season.
Looking forward to an important week, Tuchel tried to ease the pressure.
"I think it is very important for us in this moment to be realistic and not over-expect from us," he told reporters.
"Also accept games against teams in mid-table or the lower end of the table can become difficult games. Once we accept that, it is the first step to feel a certain freedom and to become better, that we don't over-expect.
"We should not expect too much about how big others see us and if we are the favourites against Lille, just accept it is a phase where things feel a bit tight and a bit more difficult than in other times.
"We will accept it and this is the situation for the match on Tuesday. First of all we play at Stamford Bridge and we are confident to have a good performance because we deliver on a high level in knockout matches, cup matches, Champions League matches."
Despite his previous comments about fixture congestion, Tuchel is not especially worried about the tight turnaround being an issue before facing French champions Lille.
"I think that Saturday to Tuesday evening for us as a home game and playing in London should not be a problem," he added.
"Sometimes it can cause a big advantage if there is a tight schedule, but we will be ready to fight with Lille on an okay level so that should not be decisive."
Novak Djokovic says he will play at whatever tournament will have him as he gears up to make his return to the ATP Tour.
The men's world number one has not played a competitive match since early December and was last month deported from Australia on the eve of the Australian Open.
That decision was a result of Djokovic opting not to join the majority of his tennis peers in getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and amid controversy over how he handled getting the virus himself in December.
Speaking to the BBC in a recent interview, Djokovic stated he was prioritising his right to choose what to put into his body above his sporting ambitions and confirmed he is willing to miss further grand slams if necessary.
With COVID restrictions still in place in many countries, Djokovic acknowledges his options to play are limited.
"I just have to follow the rules. You know, whatever tournament that I'm able to play, I will be trying to get to that country and play the tournament," Djokovic said ahead of facing Lorenzo Musetti in round one of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
"Obviously, I'm not intending to play the full schedule and that wasn't also my intention, as you brought it up and my goal prior to this season or the season before, and I was trying to aim to play my best at the grand slams and some of the 1000 events we have, of course, and playing for my country, those were the biggest motivations that I had in terms of the scheduling.
"Right now, the situation is obviously different for me. So, I really can't choose right now. It's really about where I can go and play. So, wherever I have an opportunity, I'll be using probably that opportunity and going to play because this is what I do, it's what I love to do still.
"And I have support from my family and my team is still there with me and that's what's important for me because obviously it was not easy for anyone in my surroundings to go through these kinds of circumstances and situations that we have been through.
"But it's very exciting to have everyone together here with me. And in Dubai, we're back on the tour and then we'll play this tournament and we'll see how it goes further down the line."
Several stars backed the decision for Djokovic to be barred from playing in Melbourne, with most noting that he had not followed the rules in order to do so.
But the Serbian says he has been received warmly ahead of his return to the ATP Tour.
"I haven't seen too many players, but the players that I've seen have been positive and welcoming," he added.
"And it's nice to see obviously. I can't say that was the case in Australia. It was a little bit strange, but here it's well so far."
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