Watch: Novak Djokovic trains in Doha with Fernando Verdasco

Novak Djokovic arrived in Doha forward of the ATP 500 occasion. The Serb will search his third title on the prestigious occasion following his triumphs in 2016 and 2017. The 24-time Main winner will compete in Doha for the primary time since 2019.

Novak skilled together with his previous rival, Fernando Verdasco. The Spaniard lives in Doha, and we’ll see him in motion subsequent week as effectively. Verdasco will enter the doubles draw alongside Djokovic and finish his profession after 20 years on the Tour.

Nevertheless, Novak will deal with his singles marketing campaign after recovering from a hamstring damage. The legend will search his one hundredth ATP title towards Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev.

— Diario SPORT (@sport) February 14, 2025

Doha will likely be Djokovic’s third event of the season. The veteran conquered the Olympic Video games gold medal final August and slowed down. He performed solely a few tournaments by the top of the season and skipped the ATP Finals.

Novak returned to motion within the first week of 2025 in Brisbane. He fell to Reilly Opelka and targeted on the Australian Open. The ten-time winner struggled a bit within the opening two rounds however defeated the younger weapons in 4 units.

Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

Djokovic raised his degree and toppled Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka for a spot within the quarter-final. The Serb confronted his nice rival, Carlos Alcaraz, and prevailed in 4 units after almost three hours and 40 minutes.

As an alternative of celebrating a notable win, Novak gathered darkish clouds over his marketing campaign following a hamstring damage. The 37-year-old injured his left leg within the first set towards the Spaniard and required a medical timeout.

The extra skilled participant recovered his recreation within the second set and felt higher when medicine began to work. Djokovic didn’t prepare forward of the semi-final duel with Alexander Zverev. He gave all the things to get well his leg, which proved not possible!

Novak challenged Alexander within the opening set earlier than falling within the tie break after 80 minutes. The ten-time winner felt elevated ache in his troubled leg and retired at Majors for the primary time since 2019. The Serb skipped the Davis Cup tie towards Denmark.

He stayed away from the court docket for a few weeks, present process therapies and therapeutic his leg. The 24-time Main winner returned to the court docket this week and traveled to Doha motivated to chase the milestone title.