Doha, Feb 19: Novak Djokovic was upset by Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Tuesday at the Qatar Open in the Serb’s first match since exiting the Australian Open with a hamstring injury.
The 37-year-old Djokovic, ranked No. 7, lost to the Italian for the first time in five career matches and will have to wait to join Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) as the only players in the ATP Tour’s 100-win club.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion reached the Australian Open semifinals but retired from the last-four match against Alexander Zverev because of a hamstring injury.
Djokovic said he didn’t have “any pain or discomfort.”
“I was outplayed by just a better player today,” he said. “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.”
Berrettini won for the 10th time in his career against a top-10 player and will face Tallon Griekspoor in the second round. Also on Tuesday, No. 2 seed Alex de Minaur defeated Roman Safiullin 6-1, 7-5.
Murray to continue as Djokovic’s coach
Andy Murray looks set to remain as Djokovic’s coach likely through the French Open.
Djokovic told the ATP Tour’s in-house media channel Tuesday that Murray has agreed to stay on as coach.
Djokovic and Murray joined forces ahead of the Australian Open in what initially was seen as an unlikely pairing. After Murray retired last year, Djokovic reached out with the coaching proposition.
Djokovic reached the semifinals at Melbourne Park but retired from the last-four match against Alexander Zverev because of a hamstring injury.
“I expressed my desire to continue the collaboration with him, so I am really glad he did accept,” said Djokovic. (AP)
