Why Novak Djokovic withdraw from ATP Qatar Open 2026 after final run in Melbourne?
(Courtesy : @djokernole/Instagram)
Djokovic became the new World No. 3 after Australian Open 2026.
Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the upcoming Qatar Open, an ATP 500 hard-court event in Doha scheduled to begin on February 16. The announcement cited strong fatigue as the reason for the 38-year-old Serbian’s decision.
Djokovic enjoyed a remarkable run at the Australian Open last month, reaching his 11th final in Melbourne, becoming the oldest finalist in the tournament’s history.
He produced a stunning upset by defeating defending champion Jannik Sinner in an epic five-set semifinal before falling to World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in four sets in the final.
Also Read: Five records created by Novak Djokovic after his 2026 Australian Open campaign
The grueling campaign, involving high-intensity matches against top young talents, appears to have taken a significant physical and mental toll on the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
The Qatar Open would have offered Djokovic a chance to face Alcaraz and Sinner again, as they headline the draw as the top two seeds. Other notable players in the field include Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alexander Bublik, Daniil Medvedev, and Andrey Rublev.
Djokovic boasts a strong history in Doha, winning back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017, with an overall 15-3 record at the event. However, he had suffered an opening round exit against Matteo Berrettini at this venue last year around.
Why Novak Djokovic’s absence is not unexpected?
This withdrawal aligns with Djokovic’s recent strategy of selective scheduling. At 38, he has increasingly prioritized rest and recovery to peak for Grand Slams and key Masters events, rather than playing a full calendar.
He has skipped numerous tournaments in recent years to manage physical demands, especially after deep Grand Slam runs. The decision avoids unnecessary strain ahead of bigger opportunities and ensures no ranking impact, as he has only 10 points to defend in Doha.
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When will Novak Djokovic return to action?
Djokovic is next expected to return during the Indian Wells, an ATP-1000 Masters, from March 1-15, where he holds a joint-record five titles. He remains on the entry list for the tournament, often called the “fifth Grand Slam.”
However, with plenty of points to defend in Miami, where he was a finalist in 2025, the Serbian might skip Indian Wells to get himself fully fit and ready for the Florida event.
Why did Novak Djokovic withdraw from ATP Qatar Open 2026?
Djokovic cited fatigue as his reason for pulling out of the ATP 500 Qatar Open 2026 following his final run at Australian Open.
Which top players will participate at ATP Qatar Open 2026?
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev are some of the big names who will be in action in Doha.
When will Novak Djokovic next be in action on ATP Tour?
Djokovic is likely to return to tennis action at the ATP 1000 Masters Indian Wells, which will be played from March 1-15.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.