The news came just 10 days after Djokovic lost to world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final.
That came just two days after Djokovic, 38, overcame world number two Jannik Sinner in a gruelling semi-final that lasted more than four hours.
Alcaraz and Sinner will be the top two seeds in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Both will be playing in their first tournament since the year's opening Grand Slam in Melbourne.
Djokovic should next play in March at the Indian Wells Masters 1000.