Novak Djokovic has officially confirmed his participation in the 2025 Qatar ExxonMobil Open, marking his much-anticipated return to the tournament after several years. The event will take place from February 17-22 at the iconic Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha. The Serbian will join a star-studded lineup, including world #1 Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Andrey Rublev, setting the stage for a thrilling competition.
The 37-year-old Serbian legend will be looking to bounce back after a challenging 2024 season, during which he failed to secure a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017 and slipped to world #7. To reignite the final stages of his career, the current Olympic singles gold medalist made a bold off-season decision, hiring former rival Andy Murray as his coach. Together, they aim to make a strong statement in 2025, starting with the Australian Open and now the Qatar Open.
“Novak Djokovic is back! The 2-time champion will compete in the 2025 Qatar ExxonMobil Open, now an ATP 500 event, from Feb 17-22 at Khalifa International Tennis Complex,” the tournament announced on Instagram.
Tournament director Karim Alami expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s an honor to welcome Novak Djokovic back to Doha for the 2025 Qatar ExxonMobil Open. His return, especially in the first year of the tournament as an ATP 500 event, adds immense value. Novak is a phenomenal athlete who always captivates with his skill and competitiveness. His strong connection with Doha, having won here twice, makes his participation all the more exciting for fans. We can’t wait to see him bring his exceptional game to the Khalifa International Tennis Complex.”
Djokovic has a successful track record at the Qatar Open, having won the title twice, in 2016 and 2017. In those finals, he defeated two of his greatest rivals, Rafael Nadal and Murray, respectively. His 2017 final against Murray was particularly memorable, a nail-biting contest that Djokovic won in three sets. The Serb last played in Doha in 2019, where he reached the semifinals before a surprise exit ended his campaign.
With Djokovic’s return, the 2025 Qatar Open promises to elevate the competition’s prestige further. His participation, alongside top-tier players like Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Andrey Rublev, adds to the excitement and anticipation among tennis fans.
Djokovic’s new partnership with Murray has unsurprisingly caught the attention the tennis world. The duo’s shared history includes a classic battle in the 2017 Doha final, which the 24-time Grand Slam Champion won – though the 2017 ultimately season proved to be difficult for both. Fans eagerly await to see if the British former tennis player will accompany Djokovic in Doha and how their partnership work on the court. The Serb will be aiming to win the Qatar Open title for a third time, which would see him tie Roger Federer’s tally in Doha.
