Novak Djokovic did not shine at the Doha ATP 500 this week, being eliminated already in the first round in singles by Matteo Berrettini after a fairly negative performance. After the injury to his left thigh suffered during the 2025 Australian Open, it was quite predictable that the Serbian legend was not 100% having not been able to practice much in recent weeks.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade has shown that he can still defeat the best players in the world when he feels like it, having eliminated Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is no longer as consistent as he was a few years ago and suffers several unexpected defeats in second-tier tournaments, as well as having to deal with more injuries than in the golden period of his career.
As he was on his way home from Doha airport, the former world No. 1 was seen limping and that worried his fans. After his match against Berrettini, Nole had said he had not felt any pain but this latest update is fueling speculation about his current shape.
His next tournament will be the Indian Wells Masters 1000 early next month, where he will find Andy Murray in his box after the positive experience in Australia.
Verdasco thanks Djokovic
In Doha, the Serbian ace not only played singles but also the doubles tournament together with Fernando Verdasco.
The Spaniard who had essentially retired as early as 2023 asked him to be his partner in the last tournament of his career.
"I spoke with Nole some time before this tournament and he accepted my proposal. I thank him very much for playing with me" said Verdasco. "He thanked me for choosing him as a partner in the last tournament of my career.
We have always had a great relationship and when we first faced each other in 2006 I never imagined that I would retire in Doha in 2025 with him by my side."
