Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini will revive their rivalry on the ATP 500 occasion in Doha. The Serb and the Italian will battle within the first spherical on Monday or Tuesday, and tennis followers expect a cracking duel.
Novak and Matteo shared the courtroom 4 occasions between 2019 and 2021, with the Serb scoring all 4 wins. Their most up-to-date encounter got here on the 2021 US Open, and far has modified since then.
Djokovic grew to become the best participant of all time, whereas Berrettini struggled with accidents and setbacks. Three and a half years after their earlier assembly, two explosive gamers are prepared for extra fireworks at a powerful ATP 500 event.
Matteo Berrettini 🇮🇹 si allena a Doha in vista del suo match d’esordio contro Novak Djokovic 🇷🇸🔥 pic.twitter.com/QulbroAKy0
— Giovanni Pelazzo (@giovannipelazzo) February 16, 2025
Novak will enter his third event of the season. The legend misplaced to Reilly Opelka in Brisbane within the first week of 2025 forward of his twentieth Australian Open marketing campaign. Djokovic reached the quarter-final and organized the conflict in opposition to world no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz.
Matteo Berrettini, Vienna 2024© Fb – Erste Financial institution Open
The veteran injured his left leg within the opening set. He obtained a medical timeout and gave every part to endure the battle. The medicine helped, and the Serb prevailed in 4 units. Nonetheless, he couldn’t repeat that three days later in opposition to Alexander Zverev.
Novak misplaced the opening set and retired after feeling elevated ache in his troubled leg. Djokovic missed the Davis Cup and labored on his restoration. The 37-year-old healed the damage and traveled to Doha for the primary time since 2019.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Berrettini dropped out from the top-150 in March final yr. He recovered and wrapped up the yr within the top-35 following three ATP titles. Matteo has but to search out his A-game in 2025, shedding three of 4 matches and hoping for a greater run in Doha.
The Italian skilled tight losses in Brisbane, Melbourne and Rotterdam. He should play at his finest to keep away from one other early exit in Doha, with the 24-time Main winner standing throughout the web. Matteo took a set away from Novak of their three Main duels, together with the 2021 Wimbledon closing.
Nonetheless, the Serb introduced these matches residence, and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see the result of their upcoming duel.
