The world number one, Serbian Novak Djokovic, confirmed, on social networks, 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
The 37-year-old tennis player from Belgrade assumes that he is not at his best so far this year. He has not won any of the three tournaments he has played. In the United Cup he lost 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.
The winner of twenty-four 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.
