Novak Djokovic announces he won’t play in Miami
The world No. 1 confirmed on social media he won’t compete at the Miami Open to spend more time with his family after a difficult start to the season.
The Miami Open is just a few days away, and the best players will travel there after playing in Indian Wells to feature in the second Masters 1000 of the season. However, one of the best players in the history of the sport won’t be there this year.
Novak Djokovic confirmed on social media he won’t compete in Miami, the second and last big event on US soil before the calendar heads to the clay courts in Europe.
The 24-time major champion hasn’t had a good start to the new campaign, as he wasn’t able to make it to the Australian Open final and he was shockingly outclassed by the young Luca Nardi at Indian Wells. Djokovic’s absence is not the only big one, as Rafa Nadal won’t be in Miami either due to injury.
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev, among others, confirmed their presence in Miami, where the Russian will be looking to defend last year’s title.
Djokovic’s absence in Miami: “Balance private and professional schedule”
Nole, 36, is aware that he’s far from his best level and will need to make quite a few adjustments if he wants to win any Grand Slam tournaments this year.
The three-time major champion in 2023 confirmed on X that he won’t travel to Miami to take some time off:
“Hi Miami! Unfortunately I won’t be playing in the Miami Open 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 [forward] to competing in MI [Miami] in the future!”, he added.
Before failing to get to the last round in Melbourne and being eliminated from Indian Wells, Djokovic also suffered a surprising defeat to Alex De Miñaur in the United Cup quarterfinals. Last year he won seven titles and only lost seven matches, while at the start of this season, he has already tasted defeat on three occasions.
The draw for the Miami Open will be held on Monday, March 18, at the Hard Rock Stadium complex. The event will be played from March 20 to 31.