Some of the best players in men’s tennis are headed to the Middle East for next week’s Qatar Open.
Several top ATP stars are finishing up their preparations for the ATP 500 tournament in Doha, which begins next week.
Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev, and Novak Djokovic will all appear at the event, although there will be a few notable absentees.
Alexander Zverev decided to compete in the South American ‘golden swing’ in 2025, so will be playing at the Rio Open on clay instead.
World number one Jannik Sinner has been banned from tennis for three months and will miss the event in Doha through suspension.
Another ATP star won’t be competing at the Qatar Open as he slams tournament organizers for decisions they’ve made recently.
Nikoloz Basilashvili promises he will ‘never’ return to the Qatar Open after being refused a Wild Card
Former world number 16 Nikoloz Basilashvili recently took to social media to announce that he hadn’t been awarded a Wild Card for the Qatar Open in 2025.
“Hello everyone, I’m a little heartbroken to share that I wasn’t able to get a Wild Card for the Doha event, not even for the qualifying draw, despite winning the title in 2021 and reaching the final in 2022.
“I’m used to not getting anything the easy way, but this one hurts, I was the last one to miss the cut.”
Ranked 148th in the world, 32-year-old Basilashvili narrowly missed out on a place in the Qatar Open qualifying draw.
Basilashvili went on to make a promise that will no doubt disappoint his Middle Eastern fans.
“I understand that money and sponsors play a role, but above all is common sense,” he said.
“Qatar, you’ve given me incredible moments and memories that I’ll keep forever.
“But I promise this – I will never return to compete here again in my professional career.”
Former champions and local talents often receive Wildcards to ATP events, although the Qatar Open organizers chose not to hand one to 2021 champion Basilashvili this time around.
The Georgian star enjoyed a stellar week four years ago, as he beat one of the greatest players of all time on his way to the title.
| Round | Opponent | Score |
| F | Roberto Bautista Agut [5] | 7-6, 6-2 |
| SF | Taylor Fritz | 7-6, 6-1 |
| QF | Roger Federer [2] | 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 |
| 2R | Malek Jaziri | 6-2, 6-2 |
| 1R | John Millman | 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 |
Basilashvili beat 20-time Major champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, battling back from a set down to knock out the Swiss phenom.
He then beat Roberto Bautista Agut in the final before returning for a rematch one year later.
It was the Spaniard who got his revenge in 2022, as Bautista Agut beat Basilashvili in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
Which players were awarded Wild Cards to the 2025 Qatar Open?
Basilashvili wasn’t given a Wild Card to the tournament in Doha, but which players were?
Main Draw Wild Cards
- Aziz Dougaz (Tunisian ATP number 223)
- Hady Habib (Lebanese ATP number 168)
- Abdullah Shelbayh (Jordanian ATP number 265)
Qualifying Draw Wild Cards
- Mubarak Shannan Zayid (Unranked Qatari player)
- Daniel Merida (Spanish ATP number 281)
- Ergi Kirkin (Turkish ATP number 302)
All six players awarded Wild Cards to the Qatar Open were ranked lower than Basilashvili, while one player is currently unranked.
However, it should be noted that tournaments don’t have to award Wild Cards on merit, as the likes of Mubarak Shannan Zayid and Abdullah Shelbayh were likely chosen thanks to their Middle Eastern roots.
The latter received Wild Cards to the Qatar Open main draw in both 2023 and 2024, losing in the first round on both occasions.
All three players that were given qualifying Wild Cards lost in the first round, something that will no doubt frustrate Basilashvili, having missed out on the opportunity to compete.
Shelbayh, Aziz Dougaz, and Hady Habib will look to make the most of their Wild Cards when the Qatar Open kicks off on Monday, February 17.
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