Novak Djokovic Upset by Matteo Berrettini in Qatar Open 2025 Round of 32

Serbian tennis icon Novak Djokovic’s struggles in 2025 continued as he suffered a stunning defeat to Matteo Berrettini in the Round of 32 at the Qatar Open on February 18.

Despite a closely contested first set that ended in a tiebreaker, Berrettini dominated the second set to secure a 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory over the World No.7.

Djokovic had been widely expected to make a strong comeback in Qatar after his hamstring injury forced him to retire from the Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

Having never lost to Berrettini in their previous four meetings, the Serbian was a favorite to win. However, the Italian displayed an aggressive game plan, outplaying Djokovic in key moments.

Djokovic’s Reaction to the Loss

After the match, Djokovic admitted he was physically fine and played without pain from his recent injury. However, he expressed disappointment in his performance, acknowledging that he was unable to execute his game plan effectively.

“I haven’t had any pain or discomfort during the match, none of that. Today, I was simply outplayed by a better player, that’s all,” Djokovic said.

“I know I wasn’t at the desired level, maybe I’m still not moving the way I want to, but what I want to make clear is that I played without any pain, so there’s no excuse. Matteo was a better player than me; I think he played a masterful match, to be honest. Tactically, he was great, and he served very well throughout the match. I believe it was a well-deserved victory on his part.”

Berrettini’s Redemption and Career Milestone

For Berrettini, this victory was particularly sweet as it avenged his loss to Djokovic in the 2021 Wimbledon final. The win marked his 10th career victory against a top-10 opponent, reaffirming his ability to compete at the highest level.

“Something I’ve been looking to do for a long time. I’ve played against him in the most important tournaments on tour,” the 28-year-old Italian said. “I wish I could have won one of those matches.”

Berrettini, who has struggled with injuries over the last 18 months, returned to claim three tour-level titles last year. His latest performance against Djokovic suggests he is regaining his best form.

Match Highlights: Berrettini’s Tactical Dominance

The first set remained on serve until the tiebreak, where Berrettini took advantage of crucial points to edge ahead. In the second set, he broke Djokovic’s serve early and continued to dominate, sealing the win on his second match point.

Djokovic, who had broken Berrettini 27 times in their four previous meetings, was unable to do so in this match. The Italian’s powerful serves and baseline aggression kept the Serbian under pressure throughout.

Djokovic’s Future and Coaching Partnership with Murray

Djokovic confirmed that Andy Murray would continue as his coach “indefinitely” but emphasized that he does not plan to overhaul his playing style.

“I am trying to improve my game, like everybody else. But my game is not going to change now drastically,” Djokovic said. “My game is what it is, the core is going to be the same.”

Acknowledging the challenges of maintaining peak performance at his age, Djokovic added, “There are more injuries. Things are not the same as 10 years ago, 15 years ago. I still try to take care of my body on a daily basis, and it’s more challenging now, no doubt. I still try to do my very best, given the circumstances.”

Other Results in Qatar Open 2025

Elsewhere, Australian Alex de Minaur celebrated his birthday with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Russian Roman Safiullin, despite struggling with cold and windy conditions.

“They’re tough days, these ones,” said De Minaur. “It’s cold, it’s windy, you probably don’t want to get out of bed. But once you step on court, you have to do everything you can to win.”

Meanwhile, World No.6 Daniil Medvedev eliminated defending champion Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. Medvedev, the former world No.1, has not won a tournament since the Rome Masters in 2023 and was knocked out in the second round of this year’s Australian Open by teenage American Learner Tien.

Another former champion, Andrey Rublev, also progressed, defeating Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-4.

Berrettini’s Next Challenge

In the second round, Berrettini will face Tallon Griekspoor, who defeated him in the first round in Rotterdam earlier this month. With momentum on his side, the Italian will aim to continue his resurgence and push further in the tournament.

Medjedovic’s Gritty Win Against Tsitsipas

In a dramatic match, Hamad Medjedovic earned a stunning victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas, despite suffering a hamstring injury during the final stages.

The Serbian overcame the pain to secure a 7-6(6), 5-7, 7-6(5) win. If Medjedovic can recover in time, he will face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the next round.

Tsitsipas, who was making his second appearance in Doha, has struggled for form this season, holding a 3-4 record so far.

Djokovic’s unexpected early exit from the Qatar Open raises concerns about his form heading into the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Berrettini’s commanding performance signals a strong comeback after injury setbacks.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on how the Italian builds on this milestone victory.