Novak Djokovic skips Madrid. The world number 1, lacking results this season, has decided not to play the Masters 1000 in the Spanish capital scheduled for next week.
The Serbian, beaten in the semi-finals in Monte-Carlo last Saturday by Casper Ruud (6th in the world), is prioritizing his preparation for Roland-Garros and will miss the Spanish tournament like last year. A program that raises questions given the start of the season. The “Djoker” only played three tournaments outside of the United Cup, with no titles and no finals to claim.
Djokovic without a mark at Roland-Garros?
The man with 24 Grand Slam titles first failed in the semi-final of the Australian Open against the final winner Jannik Sinner (2nd in the world) before being defeated in the 2nd round of Indian Wells in March by the modest but talented Luca Nardi (81st). Djokovic, who ended his collaboration with Goran Ivanisevic, therefore arrived for the start of the season on ocher without a reference, and the week spent in Monte-Carlo did not really offer him any.
As in 2022, the 36-year-old will arrive at the Masters 1000 in Rome (May 10-21), where he is still expected, without having won anything. That year, he won in Italy then failed in the quarters of the Parisian Grand Slam, eliminated by Rafael Nadal, there in Madrid despite his physical problems.
Novak Djokovic's package benefits Luca Van Assche who enters the main draw directly and will therefore not need to go through qualifying.