Novak Djokovic lost in the first round on the ATP Tour for the first time since 2022, losing 6-7(4), 2-6 to Matteo Berrettini at the Qatar Open.
Returning from a hamstring injury-hit semi-final at the Australian Open, Djokovic had no trouble getting around on Centre Court in Doha on 18 February. However, he was still outclassed by the world No. 35. Berrettini converted two of six break points to beat Nole in two sets.
Djokovic (left) congratulates Berrettini after their first-round match at the Qatar Open on 18 February. Photo: Reuters
Injuries and a slump in form have left the 27-year-old in the shadows on and off the court, with the interview with Corriere Della Sera allowing Berrettini to lay it all out as his career has spiralled downwards. “Deep down, even when I feel exhausted, that’s one of the things that keeps me alive,” he said. “Not being able to do that just makes me feel dark. And the darkness seems to have no end, it just swallows you up because instead of standing still and breathing, you dig yourself an abyss.”
Berrettini, a former Wimbledon runner-up, was voted the best comeback player of last year, winning three titles after injury. In Doha, he hit 19 forehand winners against Nole, along with 13 aces. The pressure from the Italian forced Djokovic to save three break points midway through the first set, before losing the tie-break 4-7.
The 2021 Wimbledon runner-up is one of the most glamorous stars on the ATP Tour, with his dashing looks combined with his powerful game winning him a huge following around the world. Netflix cameras picked Berrettini as one of the stars of Break Point, but the good times didn’t last long for the dashing Italian.
Injuries and a slump in form have left the 27-year-old in the shadows on and off the court, with an interview with Corriere Della Sera helping Berrettini lay it all out as his career spiralled downward. “Deep down, even when I feel exhausted, that’s one of the things that keeps me alive,” he said. “Not being like that makes me feel dark. And the darkness seems to have no end, it swallows you up because instead of standing still and breathing, you dig yourself a hole.”
“They were bad moments, which I didn’t like. But they were the foundation for me to rediscover the joy of doing what I started as a child and which has taken over my life. I thought about my roots to find myself again. The darkness gave me the space to do that.”
Men’s tennis remains a sport where showing weakness is frowned upon, but one of the toughest players has readily admitted that he is struggling mentally and physically on the ATP Tour and he is not alone in that.
Tennis needs Matteo Berrettini and, from what he said in an interview that explained a lot about his own anguish over the past few years, he needs tennis more than ever.
Before the match on 19 February, Djokovic had won 27 of Berrettini’s four previous service games. But in their fifth meeting, Nole did not win a single return game. Berrettini won Nole’s serve twice – half what he has done in all four previous encounters.
Djokovic, a two-time champion in Doha, could not respond to his junior’s powerful play. For the first time since losing to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the 2022 Monte Carlo Masters, Nole was eliminated in the first round. Berrettini advanced to face Tallon Griekspoor in the second round.
“I didn’t have any pain anymore,” Djokovic said after the match. “My opponent was simply too good today. He played a great match, from his tactics, his serve to his attacks.”
Djokovic is still yet to reach the 100th ATP title mark. His next tournament is the Indian Wells Masters in California, USA, in early March, where he has won five times.