Italian Matteo Berrettini upset third-seeded Novak Djokovic 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the first round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha on Tuesday. It was the first career win in five attempts for Berrettini against the Serbian and also his first victory over a top-10 player since 2023.

Novak will enter his third tournament of the season. The legend lost to Reilly Opelka in Brisbane in the first week of 2025 ahead of his 20th Australian Open campaign. Djokovic reached the quarter-final and arranged the clash against world no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz.

DOHA – Novak Djokovic admitted he was “outplayed” as his comeback came to a crashing halt on Feb 18, when he lost 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 to Matteo Berrettini in the second round of the Qatar Open.

Novak Djokovic knew he would have to play his best to defeat Matteo Berrettini in a tricky first-round clash at the ATP 500 event in Doha. The 24-time Major winner did not play badly, but his rival outplayed him and scored a 7-6,

Djokovic was playing his first match since limping out of his Australian Open semi-final in January. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Novak Djokovic admits “I am still not moving the way I want to move” following his recent hamstring woes, but insisted his injury had nothing to do with his shock loss to Matteo Berrettini at the Qatar Open.

Novak Djokovic suffered a shock straight-set defeat to Matteo Berrettini, upon his return to the court at the 2025 Qatar Open.