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The 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic is eager to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the upcoming ATP 500 event in Doha! The veteran experienced a hamstring injury in the Australian Open quarter-final and retired in the semi-final against Alexander Zverev.
Novak skipped the Davis Cup action in Denmark and arrived in Belgrade last week. The most decorated player of all time has yet to train on the court following his Melbourne setback. However, he and his team have been working hard to fix the rapture in his left leg with treatments and therapies.
If everything goes well, Djokovic should land in Doha next week and start preparations for a super strong ATP 500 tournament.
The 24-time Major champion claimed the elusive Olympic Games gold medal in Paris last August. Thus, Novak completed the game of tennis and slowed down his engine. The Serb ended the official season after falling to Jannik Sinner in the Shanghai Masters final.
Djokovic skipped the ATP Finals and recharged batteries ahead of 2025. The veteran lost to Reilly Opelka in Brisbane and wished for a better run at his beloved Australian Open. The ten-time winner struggled in the opening two matches at the first Major of the season.
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He raised his level against the young CzechsTomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka. Thus, Novak advanced into the quarter-final and kept dreaming about the 25th Major title. However, the 37-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in the quarter-final duel versus Carlos Alcaraz.
The Serb prevailed in four sets after nearly three hours and 40 minutes of a massive battle. However, he struggled with his movement in the opening two sets until the medication started to work. Djokovic asked for a medical timeout after the ninth game of the first set.
He made a nice comeback at the beginning of the second and prevailed over his great opponent. The Serb did everythingto recover his left leg and prepare for the semi-final duel against world no.2, Alexander Zverev.
Novak did not train on Wednesday and Thursday, preservinghis leg for the main action. However, the veteran retired after the opening set, giving everything but leaving the court earlier than expected. Djokovic pushed Zverev to the limits for 80 minutes.
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However, he lost a tie break of the opening set and ended his campaign due to increased pain in his troubled leg. As before, many doubted Novak's injury after his duel against Carlos, including some big tennis names!
The 24-time Major winner proved them all wrong while sharingan MRI picture that confirmed the torn hamstring. Despite giving everything to the Australian crowd in the previous two decades, the legend left the Rod Laver Arena with boos from the stands.
Zverev did the right thing anddefended his good friend during the on-court interview. Alexander asked the crowd to respect the legend, highlightingthe fact Novakwould never retire from his favorite tournament without a significantreason.
Luckily for Djokovic and his fans, the injury was not as serious as a couple of years ago. Thus, we should see the 24-time Major winner chasing his 100th ATP title in Doha in two weeks.
