Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the 2026 Qatar Open in Doha, even though his name was on the entry list for the ATP 500 tournament.
The decision comes down to one simple reason: he’s exhausted.
At 38 years old (he’ll turn 39 in May), Djokovic had actually planned a pretty busy start to the 2026 season. He initially signed up for the Adelaide International but had to withdraw because he wasn’t healthy enough to play.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic | 38 | 8,360 | 18 - 6 |
Smart move, as it turned out.
Djokovic saved his energy for the Australian Open, and it paid off big time. He made it all the way to the final and even took the first set against Carlos Alcaraz. But he just didn’t have enough left in the tank to finish the job, losing in four sets to the Spanish star.
Schedule Changes Keep Coming
Last year, Djokovic hinted he might focus only on the Grand Slams going forward. But when it came time to actually plan his 2026 schedule, he didn’t stick to that approach.
After the Australian Open, his name appeared on entry lists for several tournaments. The Qatar Open in Doha, Indian Wells, and he’s expected to show up on the Miami Open list too.
Those plans are already changing.
The Qatar Open runs from February 16th to 21st, but Djokovic won’t be there. Tournament organizers confirmed the withdrawal was due to fatigue.
"Novak Djokovic is pulling out of the Qatar Open due to strong fatigue. Qatar will miss you. Wishing you a speedy recovery."
His next planned stops are now the ATP Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami – what tennis fans call the Sunshine Double. The Serbian legend is still expected to make those trips to the United States.
Looking Ahead to 2028
Here’s something that might surprise you: despite turning 39 this year, Djokovic is already thinking about the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
That would make him 41 years old.
He wants to defend his Olympic gold medal, which he finally won in 2024 after years of trying. Speaking to Corriere TV during the current Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, Djokovic admitted he’s got his sights set on LA.
"Far away, yes. At this stage of my life and career, it’s far off, but obviously I have the desire to get there."
The fact that he’s even considering playing tennis at 41 shows just how much that Olympic gold means to him. It was the one major prize missing from his incredible career.
Djokovic also attended the opening ceremony at the Winter Olympics in Italy recently. It was actually his first time at a Winter Olympics opening ceremony, and he loved the experience.
"A beautiful spectacle, as always. It’s always nice to be in Italy. Clearly, Italy is a country of sport. We expected a show, and that’s exactly what we saw. This was my first time at a Winter Olympics opening ceremony, and it was an emotional experience. I’m very happy to have shared this moment with my family."
For now, though, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is focused on managing his energy. At his age, every tournament decision matters more than it used to. The Qatar Open withdrawal might be disappointing for fans, but it could be the smart play if it keeps him fresh for bigger goals ahead.
