Novak Djokovic Withdraws from Madrid Open Amid Injury Concerns
Novak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Madrid Open, extending his absence from competitive tennis to a third consecutive tournament. The world No. 4 made the announcement on social media, citing ongoing recovery from an injury that has sidelined him for over a month.
Third Consecutive Tournament Missed
The 38-year-old Serb has now pulled out of the Miami Open, the Monte Carlo Masters, and the Madrid Open in succession. His last match was a round of 16 loss to Jack Draper at Indian Wells in mid-March, leaving fans and analysts questioning his readiness for the clay court season.
Djokovic confirmed his withdrawal in a post on social media, writing: "Madrid, unfortunately I won't be able to compete @MutuaMadridOpen this year. I'm continuing my recovery in order to be back soon. Hasta pronto!"
Tournament organizers issued an official statement acknowledging the three-time champion's absence, expressing hope for his return to the Caja Magica venue in future editions.
Injury Doubts Surface Before Announcement
Just hours before the withdrawal, Djokovic cast uncertainty over his participation while attending a Real Madrid vs Crvena zvezda basketball game. In an interview with Movistar, he admitted, "I hope so, I hope so. I'm working towards that. I'm not sure [if I'll play]. I've been struggling a little bit, physically, with an injury, so trying to address that and play as long as I can."
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has competed in only two tournaments this year, finishing as runner-up at the Australian Open and reaching the fourth round at Indian Wells. He previously cited a right shoulder injury as the reason for withdrawing from the Miami Open last month.
Training Efforts and Future Tournament Plans
Despite being spotted training on clay courts in Marbella recently, Djokovic remains unfit for competition. His next scheduled appearance is at the Italian Open, another clay-court Masters event beginning on May 6. He is also the defending champion of the Geneva Open, an ATP 250 tournament held the week before the French Open, though his participation there remains uncertain.
Other Top Players May Also Miss Madrid Open
Djokovic may not be the only high-profile absence from the Madrid Open. Carlos Alcaraz picked up a wrist injury at the Barcelona Open this week, winning his opening match but withdrawing ahead of the second round. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who has won the first three Masters 1000 titles of the year, is considering extra rest.
Sinner stated after his Monte Carlo Masters victory: "I'll take two or three days off, then I'll evaluate with my team whether to go to Madrid or not."
The series of withdrawals highlights the physical demands of the tennis calendar, particularly during the grueling clay season, as players balance recovery with competitive ambitions.
