Novak Djokovic gives clarification on his viral video from Doha airport after Qatar Open exit

After a surprising opening round exit at Doha, Novak Djokovic will now play at the Indian Wells, where he is returning after 6 years.

Novak Djokovic gives clarification on his viral video from Doha airport after Qatar Open exit

Novak Djokovic gave clarification on his viral video (via X)

Novak Djokovic‘s hamstring injury that he sustained at the Australian Open earlier this year has been the focal point of tennis discussions. Critics initially slammed him for faking an injury, until he uploaded an MRI scan of it on X.

Djokovic’s injury caused him to retire from the 2025 Australian Open semifinals, and he took a break from tennis for a few weeks. The Serb returned to tour with the Qatar Open, however, he faced a surprising opening round exit after losing to Matteo Berrettini in straight sets.

YouTube video

After his defeat to Matteo Berrettini, Novak Djokovic dismissed the notion of injuries costing him the match. Djokovic instead acknowledged Berrettini as the better player that day and said that the Italian deserved that victory.

FS Video

In a viral video shared by As Mas Deporte, Djokovic could be seen limping into the Doha airport. Although the video was pretty short, Djokovic’s stride was noticeably hampered. Questions about his injury and physical fitness again began to resurface, however, days after his departure from Qatar, Djokovic clarified to the Indian Wells media what actually happened to him when he left Doha.

He attributed the limping to a hard knock on his ankle. He dismissed any connection of it to his hamstring injury, reiterating that the injury is behind him.

I saw the video. No, it was actually something different. It wasn’t an injury. The injury is behind me, let’s hope so. I didn’t feel any problems before Doha, at the end of the Doha tournament, I felt completely fine, as I felt in the run-up to Indian Wells, my weeks of training. It was really uncomfortable to watch that video because I arrived at the airport and I hit myself really hard when I was leaving because it was very early, I think 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. I was limping because I hit my ankle hard. That was all. It was just a knock. It was nothing more. But then people related it to the injury and thought it was something that was getting worse and coming back.

Novak Djokovic clarified

Novak Djokovic returns to Indian Wells after six years

Novak Djokovic will play his fourth tournament of the season at the Indian Wells. This marks his return to the ‘Sunshine Doubles’ after six years. He, along with Roger Federer, hold the record for the most number of titles in Indian Wells, i.e., 5.

Novak Djokovic Indian Wells 2025
Novak Djokovic (via X)

Djokovic last won the Indian Wells in 2016, where he also achieved a three-peat, a feat which only he and Roger Federer have accomplished. This year World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to achieve a three peat as well. This would mark the Spaniard’s second title of the season, after his victory at the Rotterdam Open.

Djokovic will face Botic van de Zandschulp in his opening round match of the Indian Wells. This will mark their second meeting on court, with Djokovic leading their head-to-head.