Berrettini’s Biggest Question After Injury: How to Handle Djokovic in Doha?

Berrettini’s Biggest Question After Injury: How to Handle Djokovic in Doha?

Italian tennis star Matteo Berrettini is facing one of the toughest challenges of his comeback journey as he prepares to take on Novak Djokovic, a two-time champion at ATP 500 Qatar Open, in his opening match.

Returning to the ATP Tour after six months sidelined by injury, Berrettini has shown remarkable resilience, capturing three ATP titles and earning the ATP Comeback Player of the Year 2024 award. His journey back has been anything but easy, but now he finds himself competing at some of the biggest ATP tournaments, including the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, where he will have to answer one of the biggest questions of his career: Can he finally overcome Djokovic?

The Long Road to Recovery

For Berrettini, stepping back onto the court is a victory in itself. Speaking with ATPTour.com, the Italian expressed his gratitude for being able to play again at the highest level:

“It’s a special feeling to be healthy again, to feel competitive after so many months off the court. I had a lot of questions about myself, and now I have the opportunity to answer them.”

“I’m truly happy for all the hard work that my team and I have put in. Winning the ‘Comeback Player of the Year’ award is a great honor, but what matters most is that I’m back, feeling strong, and playing good tennis.”

Berrettini also revealed what kept him motivated during his recovery:

“I watched tennis from the sidelines, and I kept telling myself, ‘I want to be back there.’ I want to play in the best tournaments, I want to lift trophies. Of course, there were struggles—times when I wasn’t happy with what was happening. But at the same time, I found energy in those moments to keep pushing forward.”

A Renewed Rivalry with Djokovic

Currently ranked No. 6 in the ATP PIF Rankings, Berrettini will have the chance to put his resilience to the test when he faces Novak Djokovic in Doha. The Serbian legend leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 4-0, and this will be their first meeting since 2021.

That year, Djokovic and Berrettini clashed in three consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, including the Wimbledon final, where the Serbian prevailed in four sets. Despite those losses, Berrettini believes that his game has evolved since their last encounter, and he’s eager to embrace this new chapter in their rivalry.

“Novak is always Novak, even though he was injured in Australia,” Berrettini said, referring to Djokovic’s withdrawal from the 2025 Australian Open quarterfinals due to injury. “I expect a really tough match, but at the same time, I’m very excited. Playing against one of the greatest of all time is always a huge challenge, and hopefully, I can get my first win against him here.”

Although it has been three years since their last encounter, Berrettini is confident that he has grown as a player and that this match will be different.

“A lot of time has passed since 2021. I think I’m a different player now; so many things have happened. My approach will be the same—I want to play aggressively, serve well, and attack in crucial moments. But I also need to introduce some new elements to my game.”

A Tough Start to 2025

Despite his optimism, Berrettini’s start to the 2025 season has been far from ideal. He has won just one match in four outings, holding a 1-3 record so far.

At the Australian Open, he suffered a second-round defeat against Holger Rune, and earlier this month, he was eliminated in the first round of Rotterdam Open by Dutch crowd favorite Tallon Griekspoor.

However, Doha holds special memories for Berrettini, as it was the tournament where he earned his first ATP main draw victory in 2018.

“I remember it well—this is where I won my first ATP match, so I have great memories of this tournament,” Berrettini recalled, referring to his opening-round win over Viktor Troicki as a qualifier in Doha.

Now that the Qatar Open has been upgraded from ATP 250 to ATP 500, Berrettini feels that the tournament is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

“The atmosphere in Doha is always electric. Now that it’s an ATP 500 event, I feel like it completely deserves it. The competition here is always intense, and if you look at the past champions, it’s incredible. So, I’m thrilled to be back.”

Berrettini vs. Djokovic: A Must-Watch Clash

With all the build-up, the upcoming showdown between Matteo Berrettini and Novak Djokovic promises to be an electrifying contest.

Djokovic, with his vast experience, tactical brilliance, and mental toughness, remains the heavy favorite. However, Berrettini is eager to prove himself and finally claim a victory against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

For Berrettini, this match is more than just about getting past Djokovic. It’s about proving to himself that he can compete with the best, reclaim his spot among the ATP’s elite, and set the tone for the rest of his 2025 season.