Novak Djokovic has confirmed his participation in the upcoming Qatar Open in Doha, allaying fears about his recent hamstring injury.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion spoke to Vijesti about his recovery, stating, “There is no more rupture in the muscle, the injury is almost 100 percent repaired and I am ready to go to new work victories.”
Djokovic’s swift recovery comes after he was forced to retire from his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev due to the hamstring strain, which he initially sustained during his quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz.
Despite the setback in Melbourne, Djokovic remains focused on the season ahead. “I have the green light from the medical team that I can train, that I can prepare. The tournament in Doha is scheduled for seven days now, so I’m sticking to the schedule. Thank God, I was able to recover quickly,” he added.
The Doha tournament, upgraded to an ATP 500 event this year, boasts a star-studded lineup including Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Grigor Dimitrov.
Djokovic’s return to Doha marks his first appearance since 2019, where he has previously enjoyed success, winning the titles in 2016 and 2017.
Addressing concerns about his recent increase in injuries, the 37-year-old acknowledged, “I’ve had a bit more injuries lately than I did in the first 15 years of my career. This probably comes with age, but my body still listens to me, I still have a burning flame and a desire to achieve and achieve new things.”
He emphasized his commitment to the sport, stating, “Either you progress or you regress, at least I have always done things with maximum dedication, one hundred percent when it comes to tennis.”
Djokovic also spoke candidly about the sacrifices required to maintain his high level of performance.
“For that, I always had the support of the people who are the most important in my life, even though it brings with it some consequences and affects relationships in the family and with friends. You have to make many sacrifices in that context.”
He expressed gratitude for the support he receives, while acknowledging the personal costs associated with his demanding career.
Looking ahead, Djokovic remains optimistic. “That’s why I hope for success, both next week in Doha and in the rest of the season.” His participation in the Doha tournament will be closely watched as he aims to continue his dominant form and add to his impressive list of achievements.
