Novak Djokovic takes a huge Roland Garros gamble with major announcement
Novak Djokovic’s preparations for the French Open have been thrown into chaos after a couple of woeful performances on clay courts in Monte Carlo and Madrid and now he had made a bold decision.
Djokovic continues to confirm he has limited interest in playing in regular ATP Tour events, even though he has committed to playing more often in 2025.
He stated time and again last year that his preference was to play less tennis, spend more time with his family and focus on events that motivated him at this late stage of his career.
That plan was ripped up as he played in Qatar, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid over the last couple of months.
Aside from a run to the Miami Open final, Djokovic has slumped to a succession of defeats in those tournaments, with his comments after his loss in Madrid highlighting his bleak mood.
More Tennis News
Has Novak Djokovic’s former biggest strength become his key weakness?
Novak Djokovic’s retirement announcement would no longer be a shock
“After you lose a match, you don’t feel good, but I’ve had a few of these this year where I lose in the first round, unfortunately,” said Djokovic after losing in straight sets against Matteo Arnaldi.
“Kind of new reality for me, I have to say. You know, trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament. It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis, so it’s kind of a challenge for me mentally to really face this kind of sensation on the court, going out early now regularly in the tournaments.
“I guess, the circle of life and the career (smiling), eventually it was going to happen. Now I’m trying to, you know, use this as a driving force for the future. Obviously, Grand Slams, I was saying many times, are the most important tournaments for me.
“Which doesn’t mean that I don’t want to win here, of course I wanted to, but Grand Slams are where I really want to play the best tennis. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do that in Roland Garros, but I’ll do my best.”
Now it has been revealed that Djokovic may not play another game on clay ahead of that date in Roland Garros, where he will aim to win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic has confirmed that he will not be competing in the Rome Masters, as he has instead decided to take a break to prepare in private as he looks to find his form on clay.
This will be his first time not playing this event since his first appearance in 2007, as he will miss a tournament where he is a six-time champion.
The former world No 1 lost all four of the sets he played in Monte Carlo and Madrid, with his level of performance doing little to suggest he could be a contender to win seven matches and claim another Grand Slam title.
Yet the decision not to play in Rome means he will not have a chance to get clay court match practice, with former British player Jamie Delgado giving this reaction to the news on Sky Sports Tennis.
“I don’t think it’s a huge surprise,” said Delgado. “He hasn’t looked hugely happy on court over the last couple of tournaments.
“His goal is clearly the French Open. He sees his best chance of getting ready for that is by taking time off that week. Rest up and save his energy for Paris.
“It’s a big decision. He has not had the matches he will want heading into the French Open, but that’s the give and take of having a break. Freshen up his brain. He’s clearly happy to go for that option.”
The Italian Open statement confirming Djokovic’s withdrawal suggested they were looking forward to seeing him in 2026, but there have to be big doubts over whether the soon-to-be 38-year-old Serbian will still be playing professional tennis by then unless his form improves rapidly over the next few weeks.
READ NEXT: Iga Swiatek and Novak Djokovic hit by the same problem – and it will be hard to correct
