Top-ranked Novak Djokovic will not compete at this week's Madrid Open and will focus on preparing for next month's French Open.

Nadal, a record five-time champion in Madrid, continues his comeback from injury by facing American wild-card Darwin Blanch in the first round. The 22-time Grand Slam champion will then meet 10th-seed Alex de Minaur if he advances.

Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic on Monday confirmed his absence from the Madrid Masters tournament – one of the three most prestigious clay court competitions on the circuit in the prelude to the French Open in Paris.

World number one Novak Djokovic will not compete at this week's Madrid Open after being left out of the main draw for the ATP Masters 1000 tournament on Monday. Reports on Saturday said the Serbian would skip the tournament and continue his preparations for next month's French Open at the Italian Open in Rome.

Djokovic is yet to win a title this season and has only played in four tournaments this year, having decided to lighten his schedule.

Top-ranked tennis player Novak Djokovic will not feature at the upcoming Madrid Open as he reportedly continues his preparations for the French Open that takes place next month

Rafael Nadal will continue his comeback from injury in Madrid and has been pitted against 16-year-old American Darwin Blanch in the first round.

World number one and record 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will not play at the Madrid Open this week. Media reports said the 36-year-old Serbian star had pulled out of the tournament and he was not included in the draw on Monday.