After his shocking loss to Luca Nardi at the Indian Wells Open, it was confirmed by sources that Novak Djokovic had withdrawn from the Miami Open as he was soon turning his attention to clay. The World No.1 had been set to play for the first time since 2019. He has since confirmed this to be the case.
Djokovic took to social media to confirm that he won't be playing in the tournament and that he is aiming to balance his professional and personal schedules which is essentially code for him wanting to pick and choose and take a break before the clay court season.
Some doubts have swelled about Djokovic as a result of his loss to Luca Nardi with Serbian colleagues of commentators saying that tennis isn't the top priority right now for Djokovic and others of course wondering about his future given his loss also to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open. He is next confirmed to play Monte-Carlo in April before likely taking in potentially Rome and Madrid ahead of Roland Garros.
"Hi Miami! Unfortunately I won’t be playing the Miami Open this year. At this stage of my career, I’m balancing my private and professional schedule," he wrote.
"I’m sorry that I won’t experience some of the best and most passionate fans in the world. I’m looking forward to competing in Miami in the future!"
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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!