Novak Djokovic’s recent first-round loss to Matteo Berrettini at the Qatar Open in Doha has left the tennis world in shock. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who was playing his first singles match since retiring injured in the Australian Open semi-final, was defeated 7-6 (4), 6-2 by the Italian. This marked Djokovic’s first opening-round loss at an ATP event in 16 years.
Despite the defeat, Djokovic remained gracious and acknowledged Berrettini’s superior performance. He emphasized that he felt no pain or discomfort during the match, attributing the loss to being outplayed by a better player on the day. Djokovic’s comments highlighted his respect for Berrettini’s tactical acumen and powerful serving, which played a crucial role in the Italian’s victory.
Djokovic’s loss in Doha comes at a time when he is navigating the challenges of maintaining peak performance while dealing with the physical toll of a long and illustrious career. The 37-year-old has been candid about the increasing difficulty of staying injury-free and competing at the highest level. However, his determination to continue improving and adapting his game remains unwavering.
Looking ahead, Djokovic is set to compete in the upcoming Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. His focus will be on regaining his form and building momentum as he prepares for the clay court season. Djokovic’s resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks have been hallmarks of his career, and his fans will be eagerly watching to see how he responds to this latest challenge.
Novak Djokovic in 2025
Now ranked no.7, Djokovic played his last match on the 18th of February when he lost to world no.35 Matteo Berrettini 7-6(4) 6-2 in the 1st round in Doha (draw).
At the moment, during this season Novak achieved a composed 7-3 match record. Novak Djokovic’s best performance of the current year was reaching the semifinal at the Australian Open.
He is also scheduled to play in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) on the 5th of March and () on the 29th of December.
