Novak Djokovic withdraws from next week’s Madrid Open, citing concerns over an elbow injury. The announcement comes just a month before the French Open, with fellow tennis player Rafael Nadal has already confirmed that he will also not compete in Madrid. Djokovic’s decision to withdraw raises questions about his fitness and form leading up to the prestigious clay-court Grand Slam.
Djokovic Joins Rafael Nadal in Skipping Madrid Open
Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from the Madrid Open follows in the footsteps of Rafael Nadal, who has also decided to skip the tournament.
Nadal, a 20-time Grand Slam champion and a dominant force on clay courts, has cited a need to rest and recover after a busy schedule in recent weeks. Djokovic’s absence from Madrid adds to the intrigue surrounding his condition, as both he and Nadal are considered top contenders for the French Open title.
Djokovic’s Recent Struggles with Elbow Injury
Novak Djokovic has been struggling with an elbow injury in recent weeks, which may have contributed to his decision to withdraw from the Madrid Open.
During his match against Lorenzo Musetti in Monte Carlo, Djokovic admitted that his right elbow was “not in an ideal condition” as he played with strapping on. Although he continued to compete, Djokovic suffered a shock quarter-final defeat to Serbian compatriot and world No. 70 Dusan Lajovic at the Srpska Open.
After his defeat, Djokovic acknowledged that he did not feel well on the court, with slow legs, torpid footwork, and many missed shots without direction. This suggests that his elbow injury may have been affecting his performance and raising concerns about his fitness and form ahead of the clay-court season.
Djokovic’s Hopes for Roland Garros
Despite his recent struggles, Novak Djokovic remains optimistic about his chances at the upcoming French Open. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been victorious in Madrid on three occasions in the past, with his most recent win in 2019. He also reached the semi-finals last season before being defeated by Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic has expressed his hope to get into tip-top shape for Roland Garros and play his best tennis there. He acknowledges that: “The conditions are totally different there in comparison with Monte Carlo and Banja Luka. There are still several weeks to practise and play. In the previous seasons, I’ve always had an unsatisfying and slow start on clay, and then played better tennis in the final stages. I hope to repeat the same pattern this year”
Conclusion:
Even after Novak Djokovic withdraws from the Madrid Open, he remains optimistic about his chances and hopes to be in top shape for the French Open, where he will be aiming to add to his illustrious Grand Slam record. Tennis fans around the world will be eagerly watching Djokovic’s progress and hoping for his swift recovery from his injury.
