Novak Djokovic vs Matteo Berrettini Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Question marks over Djokovic's return in Doha

Djokovic was last seen cutting a dejected figure in Melbourne as he was forced to retire with a muscle tear in his hamstring in the Australian Open semi-finals against Alexander Zverev after the first set. We all know Djokovic is a master at recovery, but I have to question just how motivated he will be for this sort of tournament less than a month after his injury. Berrettini is also working his way back from various injury issues over the last couple of years, but the Italian has managed to take a set in his last three meetings with Djokovic and this looks like a good opportunity for him to make a real match of this again.

Djokovic has won all four previous meetings between the pair, but as mentioned, Berrettini has taken a set in the last three. This will be their first encounter since the 2021 US Open.

It was a turbulent start to the season for Djokovic in Australia as the Serbian attempts to regain a foothold at the top of the rankings and challenge for Grand Slams again after failing to win a major in 2024 and dropping to No. 7 in the rankings.

Djokovic was stunned by Reilly Opelka in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International and was shaky to begin the Australian Open, dropping sets to players outside the top 100 in Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion improved with his next matches to defeat Czech pair Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka, while he was in incredible form to dispatch Carlos Alcaraz in four sets in the quarter-finals.

However, the injury Djokovic sustained in that match proved too much to overcome in the semi-finals - and it remains to be seen how the Serbian performs in Doha, where he won the title in 2016 and 2017.

Berrettini was a top 10 mainstay before he was struck down by numerous injury problems over the last couple of years and he continues to battle in a bid to work his way back to the game's elite.

The Italian did an outstanding job to win three ATP 250 titles during an injury-ridden 2024 campaign, clawing his way back into the top 50.

However, it hasn't been a great start to 2025, with Berrettini winning just one of his four matches, while he was knocked out in the opening round of his last event in Rotterdam by Tallon Griekspoor.

Berrettini has also lost his last seven meetings with top 10 players.