Novak Djokovic took to social media to congratulate the Qatar Open finalists.
The 37-year-old entered the tournament but bowed out in the opening round, courtesy of a scintillating performance by Matteo Berrettini.
Djokovic lost 6-7, 2-6 defeat and suffered back-to-back defeats following his injury retirement from his Australian Open semi-final.
The tournament concluded with Jack Draper and Andrey Rublev battling it out for the title, and the contest did not disappoint.
Novak Djokovic sends message to Jack Draper and Andrey Rublev after Qatar Open final
Rublev and Draper battled it out for the Qatar Open title. The Russian was trying to win the event for a second time while Draper was going for his first in Qatar.
The 26-year-old secured some impressive wins against Alex de Minaur and Felix Auger-Aliassime during the tournament, and he continued that form against Draper.
But the Brit, who was playing his first tournament since the Australian Open, achieved some impressive results against Berrettini and Jiri Lehecka.
With both players in good form, it was going to be a close and that waived to be the case for the first two sets. But ultimately it was Rublev who outlasted Draper to claim a 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 win and lift his first title of the season.
In the aftermath Novak Djokovic took to Instagram to send a congratulatory message to both finalists and the tournament organisers.
“Congrats Andrey Rublev and well played Jack Draper!,” he wrote. “And well done to Qatar Tennis for organising another great tournament.”
Andrey Rublev and Jack Draper react after Qatar Open final
Rublev won the 17th ATP Tour title of his career after beating Draper in Qatar.
This was the first title that has won since lifting the Madrid Open trophy in May 2024, while Draper made an excellent return from injury.
Rublev took some time to praise Draper for his efforts throughout the tournament, while expressing delight with his victory.
“It feels amazing. It’s the first time I’ve won the same title twice,” the delighted Russian said. “I’m really happy. I don’t know what else to say.
“I really like Jack as a person and I really like his game. He has a really, really great career and future ahead. He will win many great things.”
Runner-up Draper added: “I want to congratulate Andrey. He was too good today. Outlasted me. We played some really tough matches this week. In the third set he was a bit too strong for me.”
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