Novak Djokovic’s first tournament since sustaining a hamstring injury at the Australian Open ended in the first round.
Djokovic, who retired from his semifinal match at Melbourne Park against Alexander Zverev, lost to Matteo Berrettini 7-6(4), 6-2 at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Tuesday evening. Berrettini fired 13 aces compared to only one double-fault and saved all three of the break points he faced while prevailing in one hour and 34 minutes.
The Italian took complete control of the match by breaking Djokovic for a 2-0 lead in the second set. A second break at 5-2–ending on an errant forehand by the Serb that sailed well past the baseline–wrapped things up in style for Berrettini.
It was Berrettini’s first victory over Djokovic in five tries.
“[Beating Djokovic] is something that I’ve been looking to do,” the world No. 35 assured. “I played against him in the most important tournaments on tour, had the honor and the pleasure to play against him. I wish I could have won one of those matches, as well.
“I worked really hard to be back here, to be back at this level,” added Berrettini, who has endured his own physical problems in recent years. “I knew my level was high. I just needed matches and matches like this. All the hard work that I’ve been putting in the last months, in the last days, it worked pretty well today. So I’m really happy with my performance. I’m really happy because I enjoyed my time out there, which is the most important thing.”
Djokovic praised his opponent and downplayed any lingering hamstring issue.
“I didn’t have any pain or discomfort in that sense,” the 37-year-old explained. “I was outplayed by just a better player today. Yes, I wasn’t at my desired level–and it could be that I’m still not moving the way I want to move–but I played without pain. So there is no excuse in that.
“He was just the better player. I think he played a master-class match–to be honest–tactically, and served very well, so just a very deserved win from his side.”
nice one, Matteo
Joker is getting close to being done. I don’t think he will win another slam. These results are becoming more common for him, and yes I know he is coming off an injury, but that will only become more frequent with time as well.
any results at any event other than a slam can be completely discounted
he has little to no interest at these events
I’m not sure it’s that clear cut. It’s a combination of factors: Best of 3 sets, first round, coming back from injury, the age factor and his opponent is more likely to play a flawless match in these conditions as opposed to a major, so some credit has to go to the opponent (Berretinni) also.
Quality tennis. Berrettini just played the match of his life.
It’s not even Berrettinis best conditions. Nole lost than he won.
Where was that Berretinni at Wimbledon when it mattered.
Most things are circumstantial. It’s never nice seeing a legend of the sport lose due to circumstances but it was never nice seeing Djokovic beat everyone to a pulp, either. That’s the nature of competitive sport, unfortunately.