Novak Djokovic appears to be on the mend and is now planning to return to competitive action at the Qatar Open despite not having resumed training yet.
The Serbian tennis star was in dominant form at the Australian Open, determined to secure his record-extending 11th title in Melbourne. He overcame a challenging quarter-final match against Carlos Alcaraz, setting up a semi-final clash with Alexander Zverev. However, after dropping the first set against the German, Djokovic unexpectedly withdrew due to an injury, prompting boos from the Rod Laver Arena crowd.
His struggle was already evident during his battle with Alcaraz, yet some, including tennis legend John McEnroe, accused him of exaggerating his discomfort. Addressing these allegations in his post-match conference, Djokovic disclosed that he had suffered a muscle tear. To confirm the extent of his injury, he shared an image of his scan on social media. ESPN’s analysis of the scan suggested that Djokovic would be sidelined for several months, with a possible return around May for the Roland Garros tournament.
Djokovic Set for an Earlier Return
However, recent reports indicate that the 37-year-old has recovered faster than expected. According to Sportal, Djokovic was in Belgrade last week, undergoing specialized therapy and treatment. Encouraged by his progress, he has now decided to make his return sooner than anticipated, targeting the Qatar Open as his comeback event. Despite not having resumed training, he is expected to travel to Doha soon to acclimate to the conditions and prepare for the ATP 500 event.
Since his triumph at the 2023 US Open, Djokovic has been unable to claim another Grand Slam title, with his only major victory in 2024 coming in the Paris Olympics. Speculation about his retirement continues to grow, with rumors suggesting this could be his final season on tour.
In a recent interview with GQ Sports, Djokovic admitted that his father has been subtly urging him to consider retirement. “It feels like people have already started writing the end of my career—the media, the fans, and even my father,” Djokovic stated. He elaborated that his father, while respectful of his choices, has encouraged him to think about his eventual exit from the sport. “He understands the intensity of the pressure and the toll it takes on my health and those around me. He told me, ‘My son, start considering how you want this journey to end,'” he revealed.
With his return to the court drawing near, all eyes will be on Djokovic as he attempts to defy the odds and make a strong comeback at the Qatar Open.
