Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from subsequent week’s Madrid Open within the wake of latest issues over an elbow harm.
The announcement comes only a month out from the French Open, with Rafael Nadal having additionally already confirmed he won’t compete in Madrid.
Whereas it’s unclear as to the precise reasoning for Djokovic’s withdrawal, he admitted lately his proper elbow was “not in a really perfect situation” as he performed with strapping on throughout his upset defeat to Lorenzo Musetti in Monte Carlo.
The 35-year-old was again in motion on the finish of the week however suffered a shock quarter-final defeat to Serbian compatriot and world No 70 Dusan Lajovic on the Srpska Open.
“I did not really feel effectively on the courtroom, my legs had been gradual and my footwork was lethargic, many missed pictures, completely with out path,” he stated afterwards.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been victorious in Madrid on three events previously, most lately in 2019, and reached the semi-finals final season earlier than being crushed by Carlos Alcaraz.
“I hope to get into tip-top form for Roland Garros. I need to play my finest tennis there,” Djokovic stated earlier this week.
“The circumstances are completely completely different there as compared with Monte Carlo and Banja Luka. There are nonetheless a number of weeks to follow and play. Within the earlier seasons, I’ve all the time had an unsatisfying and gradual begin on clay, after which performed higher tennis within the closing phases. I hope to repeat the identical sample this yr.”
