Novak Djokovic knew he would have to play his best to defeat Matteo Berrettini in a tricky first-round clash at the ATP 500 event in Doha. The 24-time Major winner did not play badly, but his rival outplayed him and scored a 7-6, 6-2 victory in an hour and 33 minutes.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has opened up on his shocking loss to Italy's Matteo Berrettini at the ATP Qatar Open.

The prestigious Doha ATP 500 offers a really interesting first round on Tuesday. Novak Djokovic – who returns from his left thigh injury suffered at the 2025 Australian Open – will make his debut in singles against Matteo Berrettini.

Matteo Berrettini surprised two-time champion Novak Djokovic with an impressive victory at the Qatar Open on February 18, 2025, with a final score of 7-6(4), 6-2.

Italian Matteo Berrettini upset third-seeded Novak Djokovic 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the first round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha on Tuesday.

Novak Djokovic was stunned 7-6 (4), 6-2 by Matteo Berrettini in the first round of the Qatar Open on Tuesday, as the Italian enjoyed his first win over the former world No 1. Berrettini played superbly to knock out the two-time champion in one hour 35 minutes and secure his first victory against a top-10 opponent since January 2023.

It was the first career win in five attempts for Berrettini against the Serbian and also his first victory over a top-10 player since 2023.

Novak Djokovic’s return to singles action ended in a surprise straight-set defeat to Matteo Berrettini at the 2025 Qatar Open. The 37-year-old tennis great fell 6-7(4), 2-6 to world No 35 Berrettini in the opening round of the ATP 500 event.