Novak Djokovic withdraws from Madrid Open
Novak Djokovic has officially pulled out of next week’s Madrid Open, extending his absence from competitive tennis to three consecutive Masters 1000 events, reports BritPanorama.
The 38-year-old Serbian confirmed the news on Twitter, stating: “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!”
The world number four has been sidelined since his fourth-round defeat to Britain’s Jack Draper at Indian Wells over a month ago. A right shoulder problem has compelled him to skip both the Miami Open and Monte Carlo Masters in recent weeks.
Djokovic’s 2026 campaign has been plagued by fitness concerns following a promising start to the year. He reached the Australian Open final in February but lost to Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne. His most recent competitive outing came at Indian Wells, where he appeared to struggle with a forearm issue before succumbing to Draper in a hard-fought three-set match.
The shoulder complaint has kept him off the tour ever since, and despite being spotted training on clay courts in Marbella earlier this week, the Serbian veteran was unable to recover sufficiently for the tournament in the Spanish capital.
Following his withdrawal announcement, tournament organisers released a statement. “Novak Djokovic, a three-time #MMOPEN champion, will not be able to participate in this year’s tournament,” they shared. “We hope to see you back here as soon as possible so we can enjoy your tennis as we have done so many times in the Caja Magica.”
The last time Djokovic lifted the prestigious Madrid Open trophy was in 2019, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in the final. His previous victories at the event came in 2011 against Rafael Nadal and in 2016 when he overcame Andy Murray.
Djokovic remains registered for the Italian Open, which starts on 6 May in Rome. He also holds defending champion status at the Geneva Open, an ATP 250 event scheduled for the week before Roland Garros, though his participation in that tournament remains uncertain.
As the French Open looms on 24 May, Djokovic will be aiming for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. With his 39th birthday approaching next month, he has adopted a more selective approach to his schedule, prioritising recovery and major tournaments over a packed calendar. The tennis world watches closely, recognising that even the greatest players must contend with the hard truths of time and injury.
