Novak Djokovic Withdraws From Madrid Open To Continue Shoulder Recovery
Djokovic withdraws from Madrid Open due to shoulder injury recovery.
Former world number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Madrid Open, set to begin next week, as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury that has kept him out of competitive action for over a month.
Djokovic, a three-time Madrid Open champion and 24-time Grand Slam winner, confirmed his withdrawal in a message posted on Instagram on Friday. “Madrid, unfortunately I won’t be able to compete this year,” the 38-year-old wrote. “I’m continuing my recovery in order to be back soon. Hasta pronto!” His absence marks another setback in a season disrupted by fitness concerns and limited match play.
The Serbian star has not competed since his fourth-round defeat to Britain’s Jack Draper at the Indian Wells Masters in March. That match proved to be his most recent appearance on court, as he subsequently stepped away from competition to address the shoulder issue that has hindered his recent schedule.
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Djokovic’s 2026 season has been sporadic, with earlier withdrawals from tournaments in Doha due to fatigue, followed by further pullouts from the Miami Open and Monte Carlo Masters, both attributed to ongoing shoulder problems. So far this year, he has participated in only two tournaments, a significant reduction for a player accustomed to a packed calendar at the highest level of the sport.
The timing of his withdrawal raises further questions about his preparation for the French Open in Paris, which begins in just over a month and represents the next Grand Slam on the tennis calendar. At 38, Djokovic remains one of the sport’s most successful players, but his recent injury setbacks have added uncertainty to his pursuit of continued success on the ATP Tour.
With the clay-court season now underway, Djokovic’s focus will shift to recovery and regaining match fitness. His absence from Madrid removes one of the tournament’s biggest names and leaves fans waiting for confirmation of when the 24-time Grand Slam champion will return to competitive action.
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