Novak Djokovic gave an update following his injury-related withdrawal from the Australian Open semi-final.

After losing to Alexander Zverev, the sixth-ranked player disclosed a thigh muscle tear, which also led him to skip Serbia’s Davis Cup match against Denmark.

Despite this, Djokovic is now hopeful about playing in his upcoming tournament in Doha. However, his collaboration with Andy Murray is still uncertain.

His Australian Open journey ended abruptly after he retired following a lengthy 81-minute set against Zverev.

Djokovic, at 37, had already been dealing with an injury from his match against Carlos Alcaraz, which required medical attention off the court.

Djokovic later admitted he didn’t know how long he would be sidelined, adding: “I still have Doha tournament in few weeks’ time that is scheduled. Whether I’m going to play it or not, it really does depend on how quickly I recover.”

The 24-time Grand Slam winner, Novak Djokovic, has already sat out one event due to his thigh injury, withdrawing from Serbia’s Davis Cup squad. However, he’s now set to play in the ATP 500 in Doha.

Sportal reports that Djokovic plans to participate in the Qatar Open and will head to Doha early to adapt to the local conditions.

Upon returning home from Australia, the 37-year-old has been receiving treatment in Serbia, and he hasn’t resumed training as he concentrates on healing.

There’s no confirmation yet on whether Andy Murray will join him in Doha. Murray had recently teamed up with Djokovic for the Australian Open in a high-profile partnership.

After Djokovic’s semi-final run, both men said they needed to discuss their next steps. “I’ll definitely have a chat with Andy and thank him for being here with me,” Djokovic said.

“You know, give him my feedback, which is, of course, positive, and see how he feels and we make the next step.

“We are still hotheaded and disappointed, so it’s kind of hard to switch the page and start talking about what the next steps are. You know, I think we both need to cool off a little bit and then we’ll have a chat.”

The duo has not yet decided if they’ll keep working together. Even if Murray remains Djokovic’s coach, he might opt out of smaller tournaments like the Qatar Open.

Murray didn’t accompany Djokovic at the Brisbane International at the beginning of the season because he had a pre-scheduled family ski vacation, although he kept in touch with the world No. 6. They might arrange something similar for events that are not Grand Slams or Masters 1000 tournaments.

Tim Henman has strongly criticized the Australian Open fans who booed Novak Djokovic off the court last month, calling their behavior “indefensible.”

Djokovic had to retire mid-match during his semi-final against Alexander Zverev, which prevented him from potentially securing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. Throughout the tournament, he was met with constant jeering from the crowd, and this hostility persisted even as he left Rod Laver Arena after withdrawing due to a hamstring injury.

Speaking to Mirror Sport, former British No. 1 Henman insisted there was no excuse for the crowd’s behaviour, though did acknowledge that Djokovic’s on-court antics often needlessly attracted trouble. “I think the fans got it totally wrong,” the 50-year-old said.

“For someone who is going for their 11th Australian Open title, their 25th slam, to pull out after a set, he’s obviously in a bad way. For him to be booed in that moment is pretty indefensible.

“However, I’m not on social media, but what I hear goes on with him and his fans, it’s chaos isn’t it. And there have been times when he’s probably attracted that. But he absolutely doesn’t deserve to be booed off court after he’s had to retire.”

Henman further speculated if Djokovic’s confrontational attitude on court might be driven by his wish to garner the same level of adoration that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal naturally attract.

“I think if you dig a bit deeper, in my opinion, he’s always craved the affection that’s been shown to Federer and Nadal,” he said.

“And some people I guess don’t like that, that he behaves in that way. But that whole thing isn’t really my scene. You look at what he’s achieved, you look at almost every stat and he’s the best in all of them. He’s phenomenal.”

Novak Djokovic, now 37, has always had a complex relationship with tennis fans. His fierce competitiveness, unshakeable confidence, and fiery on-court demeanor have garnered both staunch supporters and loud detractors over the years.

Many celebrate his relentless drive and indomitable spirit, while others are turned off by what they perceive as his brash assertiveness, especially when juxtaposed with the more reserved on-court personas of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

The situation intensified in January 2022 when Djokovic was deported from Australia for not being vaccinated against Covid-19. Initially granted an exemption by the Australian government to participate in the Australian Open, public outcry led to a policy reversal and his subsequent removal from the country.

Following this event, Djokovic’s firm position on the vaccination issue further entrenched his image as a divisive figure in both sports and politics. He clarified that he was not against vaccination per se but was a staunch advocate for bodily autonomy, even suggesting he’d be willing to end his tennis career for this principle.

This stance only inflamed his critics, which seems to have spurred Djokovic’s even more defiant match behavior. Today, wherever he competes, the 24-time Grand Slam champion often finds himself cast in the role of the antagonist – a role he has, at times, seemed to accept with enthusiasm.

His withdrawal from last month’s Australian Open extends his major title drought to 16 months, the longest since 2018. With just one more Grand Slam win, he could surpass Margaret Court to become the statistically greatest tennis player ever. However, with increasing injuries, the natural progression of age, and an ever-improving field of competitors, 2025 might be his critical window for success.

Jannik Sinner, currently ranked world No. 1, is anxiously awaiting a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing in April, which might lead to a significant suspension from tennis due to failed doping tests.

Last March, Sinner tested positive for the anabolic steroid clostebol, which he claimed entered his system via a contaminated cream used by a team member during a massage.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) sided with Sinner, ruling that he was not at fault, and he avoided a ban.

However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed this decision, with the case scheduled for April 16-17.

The tennis community is on edge awaiting the outcome, especially given the recent history of high-profile doping cases. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman has noted that such incidents have harmed the sport’s reputation.

Simona Halep, once ranked No. 1, faced a ban after a positive doping test but successfully argued it was due to a contaminated supplement.

Similarly, five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek failed a test last year but proved the substance came from a contaminated sleeping aid, leading to a one-month suspension.

“It hasn’t been a good look for the sport, especially when you throw in the Swiatek and Halep cases,” said Sky Sports Tennis analyst Henman.

“There is this legal process, but it’s frustrating for the sport and the fans that this process started last year and we are going to get a decision in April. That’s too long.

“Personally, in all those cases, I don’t think in any way that the players are trying to cheat. However, we have to get to the outcome quicker than that.

“I’m amazed that Sinner has been able to play such good tennis with that cloud over his head.

“What the outcome is going to be, I don’t know. We need to get to one final conclusion ASAP.”

Although Sinner’s legal team might feel confident in defending him at the WADA appeal, the reality is that even if he proves he wasn’t entirely responsible for the clostebol in his system, he could face a lengthy suspension.

The key term in this legal battle is ‘significant.’ The ITIA’s original ruling stated that Sinner had ‘no fault or negligence’ for the positive test, which prevented a long ban. However, WADA contends that the ruling should state ‘no significant fault or negligence,’ maintaining the principle that athletes are accountable for any substances in their system.

In an exclusive interview with Tennis365, ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse clarified that if the appeal goes against Sinner, the minimum suspension he would face is one year.

“If you test positive for a banned substance, your starting point for a possible sanction is four years,” Moorhouse explained in her extensive Tennis365 interview.

“If you can demonstrate that it was not intentional, that reduces to two years. Then, if you can prove there was no fault, there is no sanction.

“In addition, a decision of ‘no significant fault or negligence’ could fall between a reprimand and two years. That applies to any cases around a contaminated substance.

“It’s the same rules and the same processes for every player. All cases are different and each case turns on individual facts.

“The complication with the Sinner case is the positive test was not a result of a contaminated product. That is the difference between Swiatek and Halep. There is no contamination here.

“The product that the masseuse used on his finger was not contaminated. That is exactly what it said the product contained on the packaging.

“And so because it is not a contaminated product, the range for a sanction is one year to two years.”

Sinner’s presence at the top of the ATP Rankings and as the outstanding player in the men’s game adds to the hype that will build up around the CAS hearing in April, with a widespread expectation that he will be banned for a lengthy period representing a big problem for the sport.
The image of tennis is on the line and a suspension for Sinner will resonate with an audience outside of the sport, with the damage it would do to Sinner’s legacy hard to quantify.

Tim Henman’s desire for a quick resolution in Jannik Sinner’s case is likely echoed by many within the tennis community, as the issue remains a significant topic of discussion nearly a year later.

Sinner’s status as the world No. 1 and his dominance in men’s tennis amplify the anticipation surrounding the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing in April. There’s a widespread belief that he might face a substantial suspension, which would pose a significant challenge for the sport.

The integrity of tennis is at stake, and any ban on Sinner would not only affect those within the sport but also resonate with a broader audience, making it difficult to measure the impact on his legacy.