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Novak Djokovic, the former three-time Madrid Open champion, has announced he will not participate in next week’s tournament due to a shoulder injury.
The 38-year-old Serbian, who has been recovering from the injury, revealed the decision on his Instagram page on Friday.
“Madrid, unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete this year. I’m continuing my recovery in order to be back soon. Hasta pronto!” he said.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one, has not competed since his loss to Jack Draper in the fourth round of Indian Wells over a month ago. Before that, he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final in early February, and he had hinted that retirement could be on the horizon.
The current world number four has played only two tournaments this year. He was forced to withdraw from the Doha Open in February due to fatigue and later pulled out of the Masters 1000 events in Miami and Monte Carlo due to his ongoing shoulder issues.
With the French Open looming in a month’s time, Djokovic’s recovery process will be critical as he aims to return to form ahead of the year’s second Grand Slam in Paris.
