Novak Djokovic is set to return to tennis this month after recovering from a leg injury that forced him to retire from his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has been given the “green light” by his doctors and says he is “ready to go to work.”
Djokovic, 37, is expected to make his comeback at the ATP 500 Qatar Open in Doha, starting on 17 February. This will be his first appearance in the tournament since 2018. He last won the title in 2017, defeating Andy Murray in the final.
Will Murray Stay on as Djokovic’s Coach?
One key question remains—will Andy Murray continue as Djokovic’s coach? The former world No. 1 coached Djokovic for the first time at the Australian Open, and both spoke positively about the experience.
After Djokovic’s injury exit, he admitted he had not yet discussed future plans with Murray. “I don’t know. We both were disappointed, so we didn’t talk about the next steps,” Djokovic said. “I will have a chat with Andy, thank him for being here, and we will see how he feels.”
Reports suggest Murray may stay on as part of Djokovic’s team, possibly reuniting with him at Indian Wells, which starts on 15 March. The American hard-court tournament is the first ATP 1000 event of the season, followed by the Miami Open on 19 March and the clay season.
Djokovic is aiming for his 100th career title and is confident about his form. “There is no more rupture in the muscle, and the injury is almost 100% healed. I hope my 100th title comes in Doha,” he said.
For now, Djokovic is focused on returning to competition, and tennis fans will be watching closely to see if Murray remains by his side.
