Novak Djokovic’s return to competitive tennis at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha ended unexpectedly with a first-round loss to Italy’s Matteo Berrettini. Berrettini secured his first victory over the Serbian with a 7-6(4), 6-2 win, marking his first triumph against a top-10 player since January 2023.
Despite the defeat, Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, dismissed concerns about his form, stating he felt no pain from his recent hamstring injury. He acknowledged Berrettini’s superior performance, saying, “I was outplayed.”
This loss is notable as it marks the first time Djokovic has been eliminated in the opening round of a tournament since the 2016 Summer Olympics. Additionally, it delays his pursuit of a 100th ATP singles title, a milestone he aimed to achieve in Doha.
Following the singles exit, Djokovic continued his participation in the doubles event alongside Fernando Verdasco. The duo delivered a strong performance, defeating Alexander Bublik and Karen Khachanov in just 50 minutes to advance to the quarterfinals.
Looking ahead, Djokovic plans to assess his condition before deciding on participation in upcoming tournaments, including the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami. His early exit in Doha, coupled with his recent injury history, has raised questions about his readiness for the demanding North American hard-court swing.
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