Novak Djokovic marked his return from injury with a convincing doubles victory over Alexander Bublik and Karen Khachanov, alongside Fernando Verdasco at the Qatar Open. (More Tennis News)
🧸Djokovic, who has not played since retiring from his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev, partnered the Spaniard for an emphatic 6-1 6-1 victory on Monday.
𝓡Ahead of the Qatar Open, Verdasco, a former world number seven, confirmed he would step away from the court at the age of 41, bringing down the curtain on his 22-year career.
🉐Djokovic and Verdasco needed just 48 minutes to surge past their opponents, converting four of the nine break points they forced and winning 11 games in a row at one stage.
🍰"I have to say, maybe after this match I shouldn't play the second round," said Verdasco, whose last ATP Tour doubles appearance was in 2022.
🗹"I should just go and retire by winning 6-1 6-1. It’s the best feeling ever. Thank you so much for coming today, and see you on Wednesday."
🦋They will next face second seeds Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara, who are the reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open men's doubles champions.
