Novak Djokovic confirms Miami Open decision as he gives a telling reason

James Richardson
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Novak Djokovic in action
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his match

World No 1 Novak Djokovic has confirmed his withdrawal from the Miami Open in a move that had been expected following comments the Serbian made after his Indian Wells exit.

Djokovic had suggested that he was going to shift to a programme that had the Slams as a priority.

In more concrete terms that means that Djokovic is willing to take the rankings hit imposed upon him for missing ‘mandatory’ Masters events.

On Saturday, Djokovic took to social media to let fans know that he had pulled out of the Miami Open which gets underway on Tuesday.

“Hi Miami! Unfortunately I won’t be playing the Miami Open this year,” Djokovic wrote on X.

“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 [forward] competing in MI [Miami] in future!”

Djokovic had earlier hinted that he was set to take a pragmatic approach to his career and suggested that he could be a scarce feature on the ATP Tour outside of the Grand Slams.

“I don’t feel like I’m old or tired or anything like that,” Djokovic to the press gathered at Indian Wells.

“I know that biologically and realistically things are different than they were 10 years ago for me.”

He spoke about being ‘smarter’ with his schedule.

“I have to be smarter with my schedule and peak at the right time,” Djokovic added.

“So the slams are the tournaments where I want to be able to perform my best.

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic set for another amazing rankings milestone – but when could he lose No 1 spot?

“I’m going to focus all my attention on Slams mostly.

“When you are going for No 1 rankings, you kind of have to be playing the entire season and you have to be playing well, you have to play all the tournaments.

“My goals will adapt and will shift a little bit, which means that I will have an opportunity to adjust also my calendar which, as a father and a husband, I’m really looking forward to that.”

After competing in the United Cup in January, where Serbia fell to Australia and he lost to Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinal tie, Djokovic has only made appearances at the Australian Open and Indian Wells.

He fell to eventual winner Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, failing to retain his title as champion after winning three Majors in 2023.

He later described the loss in Melbourne as “one of the worst Grand Slam matches” of his career.

Then, on Tuesday, Djokovic was eliminated from Indian Wells in the second round with a shocking loss to Lucky Loser Luca Nardi, ranked 123rd in the world, in what the Serbian assessed as a “very poor performance.”

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