Djokovic, Osaka Withdraw from Middle East Swing

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World No. 3 Novak Djokovic and former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka have both withdrawn from upcoming tennis tournaments in the Middle East due to injuries sustained at the Australian Open. Djokovic has pulled out of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, while Osaka has withdrawn from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The absences of these top players will impact the Middle East Swing on both the ATP and WTA tours.

Why it matters

Djokovic and Osaka are two of the biggest stars in tennis, and their withdrawals will be felt across the sport. The Middle East Swing is an important part of the tennis calendar, and their absence will open up opportunities for other players to make a mark. Additionally, the injuries sustained by these top players raise concerns about the physical toll of the grueling tennis schedule.

The details

Djokovic cited "strong fatigue" following his run to the Australian Open final as the reason for his withdrawal from the Doha tournament. Osaka, meanwhile, is still recovering from a core injury she suffered during the Australian Open, where she withdrew before her third-round match. Both players are expected to target the upcoming Indian Wells tournament as their next event, but their status for that event remains uncertain.

• Djokovic withdrew from the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on February 11, 2026.
• Osaka withdrew from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on February 11, 2026.
• The Qatar ExxonMobil Open runs from February 16-21, 2026.
• The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships runs from February 15-21, 2026.

What’s next

Djokovic's next possible tournament could be the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (Dubai ATP 500), which runs from February 23-28. Osaka is targeting a return at the upcoming Indian Wells tournament.