Steve Johnson, a former world No. 21, has raised some questions regarding Novak Djokovic’s recent decision to compete at the Qatar Open, expressing uncertainty over the Serbian’s “plan” for the upcoming season.
Last week, Djokovic faced an early exit at the ATP 500 tournament in Doha, suffering a 7-6(4), 6-2 defeat to Matteo Berrettini in the first round. This marked his quick return to competitive tennis following a hamstring injury that ended his Australian Open campaign.
The 37-year-old sustained the injury during his thrilling quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne, but despite battling through, Djokovic was unable to continue in his semi-final clash with Alexander Zverev after losing the first set.
While Djokovic stated he felt physically fine after his Doha exit, a video soon emerged showing him limping as he entered an airport, leaving some to wonder about his true condition. His pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title, which would extend his record, and his chase for a 100th singles trophy remain his key objectives in 2025.
On the Nothing Major podcast, Johnson shared his thoughts about Djokovic’s participation in Qatar, offering a candid perspective on the world No. 7’s emotional state in recent times. “I’m not sure what Novak’s plan is going forward; nobody knows it but him,” Johnson said. “I don’t really understand why he’s playing this tournament at all.”
The American believes Djokovic’s primary focus seems to be on Grand Slams, adding, “It feels like he just wants to win Slams to continue his legacy and stamp himself as the greatest champion the sport has ever seen.” Johnson pointed out that while Djokovic likely has financial obligations and previous commitments to honor, his apparent lack of motivation in smaller events like Doha and Dubai is telling.
Johnson continued, “He seems more focused on the Slams, and rightfully so, because that’s what will solidify his legacy. But it’s still interesting to see him on the court here.” He went on to mention how Djokovic’s emotional flatness, a rare sight for the tennis legend, has been noticeable lately. “It almost feels like he’s not as invested in these events as we’re used to seeing him.”
Nevertheless, Johnson emphasized that Djokovic has certainly earned the right to choose his schedule as he sees fit. “It’s his decision, and he’s more than entitled to do so,” Johnson added.
Finally, Johnson acknowledged the challenge Djokovic faced against Berrettini, who was in impressive form during their encounter. “It was a tough draw for Novak,” he said. “Berrettini was playing great tennis – his serve, his forehand, everything was firing on all cylinders.”