KEY POINTS
- Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha due to fatigue.
- The 38-year-old skipped his first scheduled tournament since the Australian Open.
- Top stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will headline the ATP 500 event.
Novak Djokovic will not compete at next week’s Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, organizers said on Wednesday. The 38-year-old Serbian cited fatigue as the reason for his late withdrawal from the ATP 500 hard-court event.
His absence follows a demanding Australian Open, where he reached the final before losing to world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. The heavy schedule and deep run in Melbourne, including a lengthy semifinal, appear to have taken a physical toll.
Djokovic was set to make his first appearance since the Grand Slam but opted to rest instead. The decision gives him additional recovery time before the North American swing of the tour.
With Djokovic out, the Doha draw remains strong. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are the top two seeds at the ATP 500 event, scheduled to begin on February 16. Both players are among the leading contenders following the season’s opening Grand Slam.
The Qatar ExxonMobil Open attracts elite talent each year and offers 500 ranking points to the champion. Djokovic has had past success in Doha, winning multiple titles at the tournament earlier in his career.
After withdrawing, Djokovic plans to focus his schedule on upcoming Masters 1000 events. The Indian Wells and Miami tournaments in March represent key opportunities as the ATP season progresses.
Tournament organizers expressed disappointment at the withdrawal but wished Djokovic a quick recovery. Fans and competitors alike will now turn their attention to a star-studded Doha field.
