Former World No.1 says Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from the Italian Open is “worrying and troubling”

Novak Djokovic's withdrawal from the Italian Open ends his 18 consecutive appearances at the tournament.

Former World No.1 says Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from the Italian Open is “worrying and troubling”

Novak Djokovic (via X)

Novak Djokovic pulled out of the prestigious Italian Open in Rome, which is the third and final ATP Masters 1000 event on clay. The World No.5 has won the tournament on six occasions. But his decision to withdraw from the tournament has been described by former World No.1 Jim Courier as troubling and worrying.

Djokovic not playing at the Italian Open ends a run of 18 consecutive appearances at the tournament. The last time he did not feature at the tournament was in 2006 when he lost in the qualifying round at just 18. Last year, he suffered a shocking loss against Alejandro Tabilo in the third round.

However, the surprise decision from Djokovic comes just after he lost to Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-4 in his opening match at the Madrid Open. It was his third consecutive loss this season, having been beaten by Jakub Mensik and Tabilo. He currently holds a 12-7 win-loss record, which is not up to his usual standard.

During a recent conversation, Jim Courier was asked what he made up about Djokovic’s withdraw from the Italian Open. The tennis great revealed that it’s troubling because he may not be at his best form ahead of the French Open.

Has he listed a reason why? That’s troubling, that’s worrying for me as a Novak fan. It’s worrying because that’s the best place to get ready for Roland Garros, the conditions are very similar, it’s back at sea level. If you’re gonna play one between Madrid and Rome, Rome would be the one you’d want to play to get ready for Roland Garros. So I don’t know what to make of it, but I don’t like the way it feels in the gut.

Jim Courier said via Tennis Channel

Djokovic will, therefore, enter the French Open with a 0-2 record on clay this season. However, the World No.5 may add an event to his schedule in between the Italian Open and Roland Garros, just like he did last year by playing at the Geneva Open.

Tracy Austin says Novak Djokovic is going through a tough period

Novak Djokovic is grappling with an unusual situation in his career. It is the first time he has lost in four of his last five opening matches on tour. Apart from his run at the Australian Open and Miami, he has been uncharacteristically poor this season. Former World No.1 and two-time US Open champion, Tracy Austin weighed in on Djokovic’s poor run of form.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (via X/The Tennis Letter)

He (Djokovic) has lost his last three matches in a row, all in straight sets. He hasn’t won a clay-court match this year, early in Monte Carlo, early here [in Madrid] as well. And he just looked a little out of balance, his footwork wasn’t great in his loss the other day against Arnaldi, and he even said, ‘My reality right now is trying to win a match or two.’ And that’s really tough for a guy who’s won 24 majors to be talking like that.

Tracy Austin said

Djokovic is still searching for his 100th career title. Since winning the Olympic gold medal in Paris last year, he has not won any title. Also, his last tour-level title came at the 2023 WTA Finals in Turin.

Jack Draper overtakes Novak Djokovic in the ATP rankings

Jack Draper is on the verge of replacing Novak Djokovic in the top five of the ATP rankings. The British star earned a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Tommy Paul on Wednesday (April 30) to book his place in the Madrid Open quarter-finals for the first time in his career. The 23-year-old is the highest-ranked player remaining in the draw, after Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz exit.

Jack Draper and Novak Djokovic
Jack Draper and Novak Djokovic (via X/The Tennis Letter)

Draper reached the second round of the tournament last year, so he definitely has more ranking points to earn. He faced Djokovic’s conqueror Matteo Arnaldi in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open. Draper, eventually won and moved past the Serb in the rankings.

Also Read: (Video) Aryna Sabalenka’s controversial decision frustrates Marta Kostyuk as she engages in heated argument with umpire in Madrid