It was difficult to expect that Novak Djokovic would regularly participate in the Doha ATP 500, which will take place next week and will feature many top players.
In addition to the 24-time Grand Slam champion – who overcame the injury to his left thigh suffered at the 2025 Australian Open – there will also be Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the two new leaders of the men’s tour.
The day after his match against Alexander Zverev at Melbourne Park – in which he retired at the end of the first set – the Serbian legend had posted on his social networks the resonance of his left thigh injury.
Based on that photo, most insiders had speculated that the former world No.1 would only return to action in Monte Carlo or Madrid in the spring.
These rumors have turned out to be totally wrong, considering that the 37-year-old from Belgrade will play in Qatar next week.
Mark Petchey on Djokovic’s injury
In this regard, Mark Petchey urged fans not to believe everything they read on web: “Nole is well ahead of schedule with his recovery path and should be in good shape already in Doha. A few days after his injury in Australia, rumors circulated that he would only return to the red clay of Monte Carlo or Madrid. I want to give fans a very simple piece of advice: never believe anything you read about him.”
Novak has sped up his recovery for different reasons. First of all, the former world number 1 is intent on playing more tournaments than in recent seasons and he has proven it with facts. Secondly, the Serbian ace – before the start of 2025 – has signed an agreement with Qatar Airways, which is the main sponsor of the Doha ATP 500.
Djokovic only returned to practice earlier this week and will certainly need a few matches to find the right rhythm. The 37-year-old from Belgrade played at a very high level at the AO, especially in the quarterfinals against Carlitos Alcaraz.
Paul Annacone states ‘the biggest question’ he now has after Andy Murray agrees to coach Novak Djokovic again
Murray and Djokovic are reuniting at Indian Wells according to reports, as they look to make history in California.
At the Australian Open, Djokovic suffered a leg injury that forced him to retire from his semi-final match against Alexander Zverev.
After withdrawing from Serbia’s Davis Cup tie against Norway, Djokovic is looking ahead to a return to the matchcourt.
Murray is unlikely to join Djokovic at the Qatar Open, but their reunion will not be far away if the Indian Wells reports are true.
Paul Annacone says what he thinks about Andy Murray coaching Novak Djokovic again
Paul Annacone knows what it is like to coach top players, having helped Roger Federer for three years that includes his penultimate Wimbledon title victory in 2012.
The American has coached multiple top Grand Slam champions including Pete Sampras, Stan Wawrinka and Sloane Stephens.
When speaking on the Tennis Channel podcast, Annacone discussed the latest news surrounding the Murray-Djokovic partnership and revealed the big questions that he has going forward.
“You have Andy Murray sitting in your box who has a wealth of information and to have that kind of information that so few people do that he can share with Novak, I think that’s really important,” said Annacone.
“But the most important thing is the dynamic between those two. As it with every relationship and coaching relationship with the player. It’s how do they communicate? How much buy in is there?
“I think the fact Andy has so much credibility with Novak is huge. I actually think the fact he is not going to be around all the time is really helpful.
“To me the biggest question isn’t about them, it’s kind of about Andy. I am just surprised Andy wanted to get back in this quickly. I thought he would take a moment and a breath and sort things out, but it shows us all about his passion.
“He wants to help so much and be part of something and he loves competing and this is a way he can compete. The biggest challenge for Novak now, in my opinion, is Novak. It’s his body.”
What has Andy Murray said coaching Novak Djokovic is like?
Murray was surprised by Djokovic at the Australian Open in his first coaching job since retiring at the Paris Olympics last year.
Since having time to reflect since their first tournament together, Murray told the Sporting Misadventures podcast what he did to try and help Djokovic in Melbourne.
“It wasn’t so much ‘this is what you did wrong’, it was more like ‘this is what you do right’,” said Murray. “(It was) ‘when I was playing against you, you were doing this, it was so hard to play against for these reasons’.
“I was more like trying to emphasise the positives of when he’s playing well, this is what it looks like and this is what it feels like for the player down the other end. As a player you never know the speed of your own shot, the speed of your ball, what impact it’s having on the guy down the other end, what are they feeling.
“If I (had been) able to hear from Novak or Federer or (Rafael) Nadal when I was playing against them, ‘oh I hate it when you do this to me or when you hit this shot’, that would have been a huge, huge help to me to know that.”
Murray and Djokovic are set to reunite at Indian Wells, with the main draw beginning on Wednesday March 6.
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