The world number one, Serbian Novak Djokovic, confirmed, on social media,
his withdrawal from the Miami Masters 1000
that begins next Wednesday, March 20, and will return to the competition at the start of the clay season.
The Balkan was surprisingly eliminated in his first match in
Indian Wells
, against
the Italian Luca Nardi
, 123rd in the ATP rankings.
Winner in Miami on six occasions, Djokovic assumes that in the last tournaments that he has participated he has not been at his best level and that he prefers to take some time to assimilate his situation and focus on his objectives for the season.
"Hello Miami! Unfortunately I will not be playing in the Miami tournament this year. At this stage of my career I am balancing my private and professional schedule. I am sorry that I will not be able to meet some of the best and most passionate fans in the world. I am looking to compete in the future
," he points out on the social network
Hi Miami!
Unfortunately I won't be playing the @MiamiOpen this year.
At this stage of my career, I'm balancing my private and professional schedule.
I'm sorry that I won't experience some of the best and most passionate fans in the world.
I'm looking fw competing in MI in future!
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) March 16, 2024
The 37-year-old tennis player from Belgrade assumes that he is not at his best so far this season.
He has not won any of the three tournaments he played.
In the
United Cup
he fell to the Australian Alex de Minaur, in the
Australian Open
he was beaten by the Italian Jannik Sinner and this week, in
Indian Wells
, against the Italian Nardi.
Djokovic fell in his debut against the Italian Nardi, in Indian Wells.
(Reuter)
The winner of 24 Grand Slams did not play in Miami in recent years.
Refusing to get vaccinated against Covid meant he was banned from playing the US season.
Therefore, he was not defending points in either Indian Wells or Miami.
The Serbian will not return to competition until the clay season, at the
Monte Carlo Masters 1000
.
The Balkan, who intends to remain at the top of the ATP ranking as number one in the world, aims for Roland Garros and also the Olympic Games in Paris.
Djokovic has never won Olympic gold.