LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Novak Djokovic of Serbia waves to the crowd after winning their Men's ... [+]
This was supposed to be the first year since the Covid-19 pandemic that Novak Djokvoic competed in the “Sunshine Swing” at Indian Wells and Miami.
Now the world No. 1 won’t be a factor in either tournament.
After getting upset by world No. 123 Luca Nardi at Indian Wells, Djokovic has withdrawn from the upcoming Miami Open.
Djokovic made it official on social media on Saturday after it was first reported Thursday.
”Novak is looking at the bigger picture…focusing on the red clay season (particularly Paris coming up ) then Wimbledon and then back to Paris for the Olympic Games again on clay,” ESPN’s Patrick McEnroe said by text. “Novak wants a medal badly.”
The French Open runs May 26-June 9, followed by Wimbledon July 1-14.
The Olympics in tennis are at Roland Garros July 27-Aug. 4.
Following his loss to Nardi at Indian Wells, Djokovic said: “He got in as a lucky loser to the main draw, so he really didn't have anything to lose, so he played great.
“Deserved to win. I was more surprised with my level. My level was really, really bad. These two things come together. He's having a great day; I'm having a really bad day. Results as a negative outcome for me.”
Djokovic was competing for the first time since he fell to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals at the Australian Open in January.
He won three of the four majors in 2023 and sits at 24 Grand Slam titles for his career.
(This post was updated at 12:37 p.m. on March 15.)
