Novak Djokovic, the world’s number one men’s tennis player, has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Madrid Open, which is slated to begin next week. The decision comes as a disappointment to fans who were eager to see the Serbian star in action in one of the most prestigious clay court tournaments of the season.
The organisers of the Madrid Open confirmed the news on Saturday, revealing that Djokovic had informed them of his decision to withdraw from the tournament. The reason for his withdrawal has not yet been disclosed, but some reports suggest that it may be due to a recent injury.
This news comes just days after the announcement that Rafael Nadal, the defending champion of the Madrid Open, would also be skipping the tournament. Nadal cited a lingering back injury as the reason for his withdrawal, stating that he needed to focus on his recovery to prepare for the French Open, which begins later this month.
The absence of two of the biggest names in men’s tennis is a significant blow to the Madrid Open, which has already faced several challenges due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, the tournament organisers have expressed their confidence that they will still be able to deliver an exciting event for fans, with many other top players still scheduled to participate.
Despite the withdrawals of Djokovic and Nadal, the Madrid Open will still feature some of the biggest names in men’s tennis, including Roger Federer, Dominic Thiem, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The tournament will also be an opportunity for younger players to make their mark, with rising stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz expected to make an impact.
The Madrid Open is one of the most important clay court tournaments in the lead-up to the French Open, which is widely considered the most prestigious event on the clay court calendar. With both Djokovic and Nadal out of action, the field is wide open, and fans will be eager to see which player will emerge as the new favourite to win the tournament.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and the absence of some of the biggest names in the game, the Madrid Open is still expected to be a thrilling event for tennis fans around the world. The tournament will take place from May 2nd to May 9th, and fans can watch all the action live on television or online.
Djokovic, who was unable to play in the U.S. hardcourt swing earlier this year because he has not been vaccinated against COVID, was preparing for the clay season but got knocked out early at the Monte Carlo Masters and Banja Luka Open.
“I didn’t feel well on the court, my legs were slow and my footwork was torpid, many missed shots, totally without direction,” said the 35-year-old Serb after his quarter-final defeat by Dusan Lajovic at the Banja Luka event.
Djokovic said, however, that he was still hopeful of finding his groove on clay before next month’s French Open.
“Wishing you a speedy recovery, we hope to see you back on court as soon as possible, Nole,” organisers said in a statement without giving any details on Djokovic’s condition.
Nadal announced earlier this week that he would miss the Madrid tournament after a setback in his recovery from a hip injury sustained at the Australian Open in January.
The two players share the record for most Grand Slam titles, with 22 each. The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the season, begins on May 28.
