Former Qatar Open champion Nikoloz Basilashvili has vowed never to return to the tournament after being denied a wildcard entry for the 2025 edition. Basilashvili, who won the title in 2021 and reached the final in 2022, expressed his disappointment in a strongly-worded statement on social media. He criticized the organizers for not considering his past achievements and accused them of prioritizing financial interests over merit.
Basilashvili’s frustration stems from his belief that his previous success in Doha should have guaranteed him a place in the tournament. Despite his recent struggles on the ATP Tour, including a drop in rankings and a lack of titles, he felt that his track record in the Middle East deserved recognition. The 32-year-old Georgian tennis star emphasized that he was the last player to miss out on the wildcard, which added to his sense of injustice.
In his statement, Basilashvili acknowledged the incredible moments and memories he has from playing in Qatar but made it clear that he will not compete there again in his professional career. He expressed his disappointment with the decision and vowed to focus on other tournaments where he feels his contributions are valued.
Basilashvili’s decision has sparked a debate among tennis fans and experts about the fairness of wildcard selections and the role of financial considerations in tournament entries. While some support his stance, others believe that his recent form should have been a factor in the decision-making process.
This was his statement:
“Hello everyone, I’m a little heartbroken to share that I wasn’t able to get a wildcard for the Doha event, not even for the qualifying draw, despite winning the title in 2021 and reaching the final in 2022. I’m used to not getting anything the easy way,but this one hurts.
I was the last one to miss the cut. I understand that money and sponsors
play a role, but above all is a common sense. Qatar, you’ve given me incredible moments and memories that I’ll keep forever.
But I promise this: l will never return to compete here again in my professional career.”
