Novak Djokovic is set to make his return to tennis at next week’s Qatar Open in Doha.
The 24-time Major champion hasn’t been seen on court since retiring from his semi-final match at the Australian Open.
Having beaten Carlos Alcaraz in the last eight, Djokovic retired against Alexander Zverev, as he struggled with injury.
Many predicted Djokovic would spend ‘months’ out injured, having suffered a hamstring tear during his quarter-final victory over Alcaraz, although the Serb looks to have recovered in time for the Doha ATP 500 tournament.
He’ll be competing alongside the world’s best players at the Qatar Open, as six of the ATP top ten are set to take part.
Looking to win a third Doha title, having clinched back-to-back victories in 2016 and 2017, Djokovic has made an interesting decision that could prove to be one of his best.
Novak Djokovic set to work with Fernando Verdasco at the Qatar Open
Media group Sport Klub has reported that former world number seven Fernando Verdasco will train with the Serbian star in Qatar.
Other sites had reported that Verdasco would act as Djokovic’s coach in the Middle East, but Sport Klub was keen to reaffirm that they had only confirmed the pair would train together.
“He [Fernando Verdasco] will only be the first to train with the best tennis player of all time when he arrives,” they reported.
“That is, they will spar together because the Spaniard, although he is 41 years old, is still very fit.”
Verdasco himself posted a somewhat cryptic message on his Instagram account, hinting at some big news.
“Enjoying every moment,” he said.
“And very special people are about to arrive in Doha.”
The confusion around Verdasco’s role in the 37-year-old’s set-up is perhaps understandable, as Andy Murray won’t be coaching Djokovic in Qatar.
Murray has agreed to stay on as Djokovic’s coach until at least Wimbledon later this year but is unlikely to meet up with him until Indian Wells next month.
It’s unclear whether Verdasco will step into Murray’s role this week, although if he were to do so, it could be a controversial decision, considering Murray and Verdasco’s storied history on the ATP Tour.
Why did Andy Murray accuse Fernando Verdasco of breaking the rules at the 2018 US Open?
Murray and Verdasco faced off in the second round of the 2018 US Open, in a match that saw plenty of drama.
Players weren’t allowed to speak to their coaches during ‘extreme heat breaks’, although Murray reported Verdasco for doing just that in New York seven years ago.
“When I came out of the shower, his coach and one of the Spanish doubles players were in there chatting to him, and you’re not allowed to speak to your coach,” said Murray.
“I’m not blaming Fernando [Verdasco] and his team, they certainly weren’t trying to break any rules.”
Following the break, Verdasco secured victory over Murray, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, to advance to the third round.
Verdasco denied Murray’s claims after the match, as he confirmed he was aware of the rules.
“I was in the ice bath with Marcos Baghdatis and his coach,” he said.
“I know exactly the rule, and I don’t want to be the one breaking it.”
In typical Murray fashion, he took to social media to put a comedic end to the controversy.
“I’m off to get a health check as apparently I’ve started imagining things,” he said.
“Liar liar pants on fire.”
The pair faced off twice more on the ATP Tour, as Verdasco beat Murray in Shenzhen in 2018, and Cologne in 2020.
Verdasco, like Murray, has picked up coaching in recent years, working with young Jordanian star Abdullah Shelbayh and fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Only time will tell if Verdasco is set to join Djokovic’s coaching set-up, but it will certainly be something to watch out for as the Qatar Open begins on February 17.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
