Berrettini Upsets Djokovic In Qatar Open Thriller

Novak Djokovics return to the tennis court was abruptly ended on Tuesday when he fell 7-6 7/4, 6-2 to Matteo Berrettini in the second round of the Qatar Open.

Djokovic, who was the third seed and had a first-round bye, was competing in his first match since withdrawing due to injury in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January. He admitted that while he was not at full fitness, it wasnt a matter of physical condition.

I was outplayed by just a better player today, he said.

It marked only Berrettinis second victory of the year and his first win over a top-10 player since 2023. Additionally, it was the Italians first triumph over Djokovic, having lost to him in the Wimbledon final and the Roland Garros quarterfinals in 2021.

Something Ive been looking to do for a long time. Ive played against him in the most important tournaments on tour, the 28-year-old Italian said on court after the victory.