Exclusive footage shows Novak Djokovic limping badly after ‘no pain’ comments post losing to Matteo Berrettini
In his first singles match since Melbourne, Novak Djokovic lost in straight sets to Matteo Berretteni at the Qatar Open.
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Novak Djokovic limping (Image via ATP/X screengrab @As_MasDeporte)
The 2025 Qatar ExxonMobil Open has been rather unkind to top-ranked tennis players. Jannik Sinner, who had already arrived in Doha, was ruled out just before the start of the tournament due to his doping suspension. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic suffered a surprising early round exit, and Carlos Alcaraz, who was aiming for his second title of the year, lost in the quarterfinals.
Djokovic was aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this year. However, the Serb retired during the Australian Open semifinals due to a painful hamstring injury. He played his next tournament of the season at the Qatar Open.
In his first singles match since Melbourne, Novak Djokovic lost in straight sets to Matteo Berretteni. This marked their fifth meeting on court and the first time Berrettini securing a win over Djokovic. After the defeat to the Italian, Djokovic dismissed the notion of injuries costing him the match.
I didn’t have any pain or discomfort in that sense. I was outplayed by just a better player today.
Novak Djokovic said post-match
Now, in a viral video shared by As Más Deporte, Djokovic could be seen limping into the Doha airport. Although the video is pretty short, Djokovic’s stride was noticeably hampered. His limping could also be sore from a workout or treatment, however, it is worrying for fans.
🎾¡Djokovic abandona Doha cojeando!
— As Más Deporte (@As_MasDeporte) February 21, 2025
🎥 AS @diarioas cazó al tenista serbio con una ligera cojera a su llegada al Aeropuerto de Doha pese a que dijo que no sintió dolor en su partido de individual y en el dobles con Verdasco
🎥 @JaimeDavila_ en Doha pic.twitter.com/WWihGjq89w
Novak Djokovic will next play in the North American swing
Djokovic is expected to play Indian Wells and the Miami Open in March. Both ATP 1000 Masters events are collectively dubbed the “Sunshine Double” — a series of two elite, consecutive hard court tournaments in the United States in early spring.
Djokovic is tied with Roger Federer for the most number of titles in the Indian Wells, i.e., five. With 6 titles, Djokovic is also tied with Andre Agassi for the most number of titles in the Miami Open.
Djokovic has achieved the Sunshine Double a record four times—a feat in tennis when a player wins the titles of the Indian Wells Open and the Miami Open back-to-back. The Serbian great has also extended his partnership with coach Andy Murray, who will be coaching him throughout these tournaments and through to the French Open and possibly the Wimbledon.
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Lakshya Chopra
(2649 Articles Published)