Novak Djokovic has confirmed he will not compete at the Madrid Open, beginning April 22, citing a lingering right shoulder injury that has severely disrupted his 2025 season and raised questions about his form ahead of the French Open.
The 38-year-old Serbian, a former world No. 1 and 24-time Grand Slam champion, announced his withdrawal in a post on X, writing: "Madrid, unfortunately, I won't be able to compete this year. I'm continuing my recovery in order to be back soon." The news came just a day after Djokovic, attending a EuroLeague basketball game in the Spanish capital, told Spanish broadcaster Movistar+ that he was "struggling physically a little bit with an injury" but had hoped to take part in the tournament — a clay-court event held annually in Madrid, Spain, where he is a three-time champion.
Djokovic has played only twice this year. He reached the final of the Australian Open in Melbourne in February, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz, before withdrawing from the Doha Open later that month citing fatigue. In March, he fell to Britain's Jack Draper in the fourth round at Indian Wells, a hardcourt Masters event in California, and then skipped the Miami Open due to his right shoulder problem. He also sat out last week's Monte Carlo Masters, a prestigious clay-court event on the French Riviera, making Madrid his second consecutive high-profile clay absence.
The withdrawals are significant because the clay season serves as the primary lead-up to the French Open, which begins in Paris on May 24. Djokovic, currently ranked fourth in the ATP standings, has targeted a record 25th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, but his limited match practice is a growing concern. He is next scheduled to compete at the Italian Open in Rome, running May 6–17, which would be his only clay-court tune-up before the French Open.
The situation underscores a difficult stretch for one of tennis's most decorated players. Whether Djokovic can regain his fitness and competitive sharpness in time for Paris remains the central question hanging over the sport as the clay season reaches its peak.