Novak Djokovic declares he will play Qatar Open as he received ‘green light’ from medical team after muscle rupture
Novak Djokovic made a quick recovery from a hamstring injury he suffered at the Australian Open and has decided to play in the Qatar Open.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via ATP/X)
After many speculations about Novak Djokovic‘s comeback, the Serbian great himself has declared that he will stick to his schedule. This only means that Djokovic will be returning to Doha for the first time since 2019.
Djokovic injured his muscle on his left leg during the 2025 Australian Open. Although he upset World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, he couldn’t continue his semifinal match he played against World No. 2 Alexander Zverev, withdrawing from the clash right after losing the first set.
Djokovic, who will turn 38 in May this year, is grateful that his body still listens to him. He still has the desire to achieve more in his career and in Doha, where the ATP 500 event will kick start on February 17, Djokovic will be targeting his 100th ATP title.
There is no more rupture in the muscle, the injury is almost 100 percent healed and I am ready to go for new victories. I have the green light from the medical team to be able to train, to be able to prepare. The tournament in Doha is scheduled for a week now, so I am sticking to the schedule. Thank God, I managed to recover quickly.
Novak Djokovic told Serbian media outlet Vijesti
Djokovic, who won the Qatar Open in 2016 and defended the title the following year, is set to make his appearance in the tournament for the fifth time. He suffered a three-set defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut in the 2019 Qatar Open semifinals.
Novak Djokovic confident he would’ve won 2025 Australian Open
Following a trophy-less 2024 season on the tour, Novak Djokovic made huge strides toward his 25th Grand Slam trophy. Although injuries hindered his chances, the tennis world saw a glimpse of his former self throughout his campaign at Melbourne Park.
Djokovic himself was confident about his form and boldly declared that he could have defeated Alexander Zverev in the semifinal and eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the summit clash. He is now hoping to play high level of tennis for the rest of the season.
That’s why I say immodestly, I think that with the kind of game that I raised and achieved in the quarter-final victory against Alcaraz, I would have had a good chance against Zverev in the semi-final, who should have been beaten and if I had been healthy, and then also against Sinner.
Novak Djokovic told Vijesti
The Qatar Open will be Nole’s third tournament of the season, following the Brisbane International and the Australian Open. In Brisbane, the 37-year-old lost to Reilly Opelka in the quarterfinals.
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Gouri Das
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