Novak Djokovic pulls out of Madrid Masters 2021

Novak Djokovic is a prolific tennis player from Serbia, an 18-time Grand Slam champion and reigning world number one. He has won a record eight Australian Open titles, besides winning three titles at the Madrid Masters, having last won in 2019 and is the defending champion.

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Madrid Masters next month. He was the defending champion, having won in 2019, while the tournament was cancelled in 2020, owing to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sorry that I won’t be able to travel to Madrid this year and meet all my fans. It’s been two years already, quite a long time. Hope to see you all next year!” Djokovic was quoted as saying by the organiser on Twitter.

The reason for Djokovic’s withdrawal is not apparent, as neither has spoken anything on the same. However, it is expected that he would defend his Rome Masters crown the following week.

Djokovic is coming off a tough outing of late. While he lost in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters, he was beaten in the semis of the Serbia Open in Belgrade.

The Rome Masters would be Djokovic’s last competitive preparation ahead of the French Open 2021, scheduled to be played from May 30. Following Rome, it is unclear if he would participate in any of the remaining four ATP 250 events or directly play in Paris.