Novak Djokovic will miss the Rome Masters for the first time since 2006. The Serb has won six titles at Foro Italico and is the second most successful player after Rafael Nadal. However, Novak will not seek another good run in the Italian capital.
The Serb experienced an early loss at the Madrid Masters and decided to withdraw from the next week's event in Rome. Former world no. 1 Jim Courier is not sure Novak made the right decision, questioning the legend's schedule.
Courier would always pick Rome over Madrid in his quest to make the right preparation for Roland Garros. However, Djokovic took a different path, and Jim is eager to see if that would bring the desired results in the French capital.
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🏆 2019Novak Djokovic est de retour à Madrid pour la 1ère fois depuis 2022 pic.twitter.com/wlvVJhw1xD
— We Are Tennis France (@WeAreTennisFR) April 26, 2025
Instead of seeking form and wins at Foro Italico, Novak opted to remain on the practice court and work on his game ahead of the second Major event of the season. Djokovic competed in Rome for 18 consecutive years.
He reached at least the quarter-final for 17 straight seasons before falling to Alejandro Tabilo a year ago. The veteran is 12-7 this season, embracing two deep runs but losing in the first match four times for the first time since 2006!
Novak Djokovic, Monte Carlo 2025© Stream screenshot
Djokovic finished the previous season in the top-5. However, he has been struggling on the return in 2025, delivering only four return games in those four early losses. Novak defeated Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.
However, the veteran injured his leg and retired after the opening set of the semi-final match against Alexander Zverev. Djokovic failed to break Matteo Berrettini in the first round in Doha. He experienced a tough defeat to Botic van de Zandschup in Indian Wells following another poor performance.
Novak Djokovic, Madrid Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Novak performed better in Miami, reaching the final and hoping to grab his 100th ATP title. Still, he fell to a teenager Jakub Mensik 7-6, 7-6 after a massive battle. The Czech took the pivotal points and kept the Serb away from the milestone.
Djokovic moved to clay and embraced early losses in Monte Carlo and Madrid. He fell to Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets in the Principality. Hoping for a better run in Madrid, Novak traveled to the Spanish capital early and worked hard.
However, Matteo Arnaldi bested him in straight sets in the second round, extending the legend's poor run. Instead of competing in Rome, Djokovic will rather train in Marbella and seek his A-game ahead of the second Major event of the season.
Novak Djokovic, Madrid Open 2025© Stream screenshot
"Novak's Rome withdrawal is troubling – it worries me as a Novak fan. If you want to play one tournament to prepare for Roland Garros, Rome is the one you want to enter over Madrid. I do not know what to make of Novak's words that he wants to win a match or two.
I do not like the way it feels in the gut. Novak's withdrawal is very strange, and we will see if the move was smart when we get to Paris," Jim Courier said.
