Reports say Djokovic to skip Miami Open
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic may not play tennis in the United States again until later this summer.
Djokovic is reportedly pulling out of next week’s tournament in Miami, instead returning home to prepare for the clay court season.
Djokovic has not made a statement confirming the report, but Serbian reporter Saza Osmo and Christopher Clarey of the New York Times have both reported that Djokovic will not play in the Miami Open.
The 36-year-old Djokovic, who was stunned by 123rd-ranked Luca Nardi in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on Monday, did not show any signs of injury in the match. He was complimentary of Nardi, but was surprised and frustrated by his own level of play calling his effort quite plainly “very, very bad.”
He was asked if his poor play could be attributed to not having taken the court in six weeks since the Australian Open or to the fact that the conditions may have been foreign to him having not played here in five years.
“It could be both, to be honest. I’m not so sure. I’m going to obviously analyze what was done, what could have been done better, and then move on,” he said. “I do play fewer tournaments, so I’m more selective with my schedule. So of course it’s not great feeling when you, you know, drop out very early in the tournament, and especially here, I haven’t played five years. I really wanted to do well. But wasn’t meant to be. We move on.”
It was Djokovic’s first appearance in Indian Wells since 2019. He also hasn’t played in Miami since 2019 and if the reports are true that will extend at least one more year.
The Miami Open will be held from
March 20-31. The Serbian has won the Miami tournament a record-tying six times. Eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi also has won Miami six times.
Djokovic was asked about his upcoming schedule at Indian Wells after his loss to Nardi.
“Yeah, for the moment, Miami is there, so let’s see. Let’s see, obviously 10 minutes ago I was on the court, so I’m still hot-headed a bit. I need to take a day or two and then see what I want to do next,” he said.