Novak Djokovic’s much-anticipated return to action after the Australian Open will have to wait. The 38-year-old Serbian, who reached his 11th Australian Open final earlier this month before falling to World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in four sets, has officially withdrawn from the 2026 Qatar Open in Doha. The ATP 500 event was expected to mark his first tournament since Melbourne, but that plan has now changed.

The Qatar Open’s official Instagram account confirmed the reason for his withdrawal. “Novak Djokovic is pulling out from Doha due to strong fatigue,” the Qatar Open said. “Qatar will miss you. Wishing you a speedy recovery.”

Djokovic would have traveled to Doha as the number-three seed and one of the clear tournament favorites. The Serb is a two-time champion (2016-17) at the event and boasts an impressive 15-3 record at the Qatar Open, underlining his dominance on the hard courts of Doha.

His back-to-back titles nearly a decade ago remain among the highlights of his early-season campaigns, and he has consistently performed well at the event according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

Instead of competing in Doha, Djokovic will now shift his focus to the prestigious ‘Sunshine Double’ - Indian Wells and the Miami Open. The two Masters 1000 tournaments present a significant opportunity for the Serbian great, particularly at Indian Wells, where he is tied with Roger Federer for the most titles (five).

The 2026 Indian Wells tournament does not begin until early March, giving Djokovic several weeks to recover fully and reset. That breathing space could prove invaluable as he prepares for another demanding stretch on tour.

His absence is undoubtedly a blow for the Qatar Open and for fans eager to see him back in action. However, it significantly boosts the title hopes of his two biggest rivals. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the world’s top two players, now enter the ATP 500 event in Doha with a clearer path to the trophy. Both will headline the hard-court tournament, which begins Monday, February 16.

Only time will tell who capitalizes on Djokovic’s absence. But one thing is certain - while Doha will miss its two-time champion, the Serbian’s calculated decision could be pivotal in shaping the remainder of his 2026 campaign.

At 38, managing workload is crucial, especially with Roland Garros looming in May. Every tournament decision now carries added weight as he continues his pursuit of further history - while carefully preserving his body.

Looking at his current physical condition and performances, fans may wonder whether Novak Djokovic still has a chance to clinch his 25th Grand Slam title. What does he think of this, though?

Novak Djokovic shares thoughts on his chances of winning the 25th major title

Despite suffering his first-ever Australian Open final defeat earlier this month, the 24-time Grand Slam champion made it clear that his belief in winning a historic 25th major remains unshaken. The 38-year-old Serbian produced a vintage run in Melbourne - outlasting Jannik Sinner in a grueling five-set semi-final - before ultimately falling to Carlos Alcaraz in four tight sets. With that win, Alcaraz became the youngest man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam.

But Djokovic? He’s not done dreaming. “I always believe I can,” Djokovic said when asked about his chances of lifting a 25th Slam. “Otherwise, I wouldn't be competing, and I said this numerous times. It's great that I was able to beat Jannik in five and really battle Carlos in four close sets.”

The Serbian admitted the loss stung - particularly after what he described as an incredible start to the final. Novak Djokovic hasn’t lifted a major trophy since the 2023 US Open, though he reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams in 2025. The consistency remains elite, but the final step has proven elusive. Still, the Serbian legend has found peace in adjusting his mindset.

“I lowered my expectations the last couple of years, which also, I think, allows me to be able to let go of some of that unnecessary additional stress,” he explained. “It's always tension and stress and pressure, and I just don't want to be overwhelmed by it… It also feels good a little bit not being always the main favorite to win Slams. I think that kind of gives you a little bit of that extra motivation, I guess, when it comes down to the last rounds of the Slam.”

Interestingly, one of his greatest rivals, Rafael Nadal, recently offered his perspective on Djokovic’s pursuit of history, and it was characteristically philosophical. Speaking at a charity golf event organized by the Rafa Nadal Foundation in Mallorca, Nadal downplayed the broader implications of a potential 25th Slam for the Serbian.

“I don’t think it changes anything in tennis if Djokovic wins his 25th Grand Slam. It’s neither good nor bad for tennis,” Nadal said. While acknowledging the magnitude of Djokovic’s achievements, Nadal framed them as personal milestones rather than sport-defining moments. “Djokovic has left an impressive career behind him, and he is still there because he still can be. He had an opportunity in Melbourne. Honestly, I don’t think he has that many left because of his age, but what he is achieving is admirable.”

It was a respectful yet realistic take - recognizing both Novak Djokovic’s longevity and the reality of time. As the Serbian eyes the next stretch of the season, including Roland Garros and beyond, the question remains: Can he turn belief into history once more?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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