Former Doha champion Nikoloz Basilashvili found himself on the outside looking in as the tournament denied him a wild card, even for the qualifying draw! The Georgian lifted a golden eagle in 2021 and played in the final a year later, and the decision left him heartbroken.
Doha is the ATP 500 event from this season, and the organizers are focused on the top-tier players. However, they gave the main-draw invitations to Hady Habib, Aziz Dougaz and Abdullah Shelbayh, focusing on geography instead of tournament history.
To make things even worse for Basilashvili, three lower-ranked players earned a chance to compete in the qualifying draw. Daniel Merida, Ergi Kirkin and Mubarak Shannan Zayid earned invitations, while the former champion stood one spot below the entry list!
No more Doha for Nikoloz Basilashvili ever. pic.twitter.com/cUNvuAwdXR
— LaWanda (@lawanda50) February 15, 2025
After narrowly missing the cut, the Georgian admitted this snub hurt more than most, expressing his disappointment and lamenting over a lack of common sense. Despite cherishing memories in Qatar, he made a bold declaration, promising never to compete in Doha again!
Nikoloz Basilashvili, Doha 2021© Stream screenshot
Basilashvili debuted in Doha as world no. 171 in 2015. The Georgian passed three qualifying rounds and ousted Mikhail Youzhny before falling to Ivo Karlovic. Four years later, Nikoloz returned to Doha as world no. 21!
He pushed Novak Djokovic to the limits before falling in three sets. Two years later, Basilashvili toppled Roger Federer, Taylor Fritz and Roberto Bautista Agut en route to the trophy! Federer played his comeback tournament and fell to the Georgian 3-6, 6-1, 7-5.
Nikoloz Basilashvili, Doha 2021© Stream screenshot
Nikoloz recovered after the opening set and dominated set number two. He denied a match point in the tenth game of the decider and grabbed a break at 15 in the next one before landing a backhand crosscourt winner at 6-5 for a career-best win.
Basilashvili toppled Bautista Agut 7-6, 6-2 in the title clash to lift a trophy. The two rivals met in another title clash a year later, with the Spaniard serving revenge and dethroning the Georgian. Nikoloz should have received at least the qualifying wild card at this year’s event.
However, the organizers forgot about him, which caused the former champion frustration and disappointment. The former world no. 16 is currently ranked 148th. He qualified for the Australian Open main draw and reached the Montpellier quarter-final.
After missing next week’s event, Nikoloz will try to enter the qualifying draw at another ATP 500 tournament in Dubai.
Tennis World USA