“Another great tournament”: Novak Djokovic’s message to Andrey Rublev, Jack Draper after Qatar Open final
Novak Djokovic Congratulates Andrey Rublev and Jack Draper After Thrilling Qatar Open Final
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has congratulated Russia’s Andrey Rublev and Britain’s Jack Draper following their impressive performances in the Qatar Open final. In a thrilling contest, Rublev emerged victorious with a hard-fought 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 win, securing his first title of the 2025 season.
Djokovic, a former world No. 1, also competed in the tournament but suffered an early exit, losing in straight sets (7-6, 6-2) to Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the opening round. Despite his early departure, he took to social media to praise both finalists and commend the tournament organizers.
“Congrats, Andrey Rublev, and well played, Jack Draper! And well done to Qatar Tennis for organizing another great tournament,” Djokovic wrote.
Rublev Reflects on Title Win
For Rublev, this victory was particularly special, marking a strong comeback after a disappointing first-round exit at the Australian Open. Speaking to the media after lifting the trophy, the Russian expressed his joy at winning the title for a second time while also praising Draper’s talent.
“It feels amazing,” Rublev said. “It’s the first time I’ve won the same title twice, and 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 great career ahead of him and will win many big titles in the future.”
Draper Acknowledges Rublev’s Dominance
Draper, who had an impressive 2024 season that included a semifinal run at the Australian Open, admitted that Rublev was simply the better player on the day. He acknowledged the physical intensity of their battle and credited his opponent for his strong third-set performance.
“I want to congratulate Andrey,” Draper said. “He was too good today and outlasted me. We played some really tough matches this week, but in the third set, he was just a bit too strong for me.”
