Novak Djokovic, former world No. 1 and 24-time Grand Slam champion, has withdrawn from the Italian Open, adding to concerns about his current form just weeks before the French Open.
The 36-year-old Serbian star is enduring a rare slump, currently on a three-match losing streak and without a single victory on clay this season. His decision means he will head into Roland Garros — where he is a three-time champion, most recently in 2023 — without the benefit of match play on clay in the traditional lead-up events.
The Italian Open, held in Rome, is widely considered one of the best clay-court warmups for the French Open. Djokovic’s early exit from both Madrid and Monte-Carlo this year — falling to Matteo Arnaldi and Alejandro Tabilo respectively — only heightens the uncertainty surrounding his fitness and readiness.
No official reason was given for his withdrawal, which has raised eyebrows among tennis commentators. Former French Open champion Jim Courier expressed concern on TCLive, saying, “It’s worrying because that’s the best place to get ready for Roland Garros… It’s very strange to announce a pull-out now, well in advance.”
This marks the first time since 2007 that Djokovic will not compete in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, ending a remarkable streak at the tournament.
Earlier in the year, Djokovic reached the final in Miami — his best performance of 2024 — but was defeated by Jakub Menšík. That result, once seen as a potential turning point, now appears to be an outlier. He also retired from the Australian Open semifinal in January due to a leg injury.
Following his loss to Arnaldi in Madrid, Djokovic admitted he was adjusting to a new chapter in his career. “It’s kind of a new reality for me,” he said. “Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about going far in a tournament. It’s a completely different feeling from what I had for 20-plus years.”
As the French Open approaches, all eyes will be on whether the tennis legend can rebound in time for another deep run at Roland Garros.
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