New forfeit for Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic raises the white flag again. After withdrawing from the Miami Masters 1000, underway on the American concrete at Hard Rock Stadium, the Serbian champion will not even participate in the Monte Carlo Masters 1000, the first major event of the season on clay. This was announced by the organizers of the Monaco tournament themselves on their social channels.

“Novak Djokovic has cancelled himself from the tournament,” reads an Instagram story from the ‘Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters’. “We send him our best wishes and hope to see him back on the court soon. Nole had not missed the Principality since 2011. From there on he racked up 15 consecutive appearances topped by two wins: in 2013 in the final with Rafael Nadal and in 2015 where he overcame Tomas Berdych.

Djokovic’s withdrawal comes a day after that of Taylor Fritz, still plagued by left knee problems. The Serb and the American are not the only two heavy absences in Monaco. Ben Shelton, in fact, will also not be at the start of the Monte Carlo Masters 1000. Lorenzo Musetti, on the other hand, is expected to return to the principality after forfeiting the Miami Masters 1000.

“I would like to win at least one more Grand Slam title, to be able to be healthy and play again for the next few years,” Djokovic said in a recent interview with Vanity Fair microphones. “I have so many dreams as a father. Then, so many work projects that I can’t wait to share with the world. The area I am interested in is wellness, longevity, physical and mental health.”

The former world number one praised Italy: “There is so much to admire, including our sport: what Italy has done in the last 10-15 years, with the successes in men’s and women’s tennis, is admirable. It is the leader at this time and the biggest congratulations go to the people involved in this success.”