ROME — Novak Djokovic, the world’s most decorated Grand Slam champion with 24 titles, will miss the upcoming Italian Open scheduled from May 7 to 18, tournament organizers confirmed on Tuesday via social media.
“Novak Djokovic has announced he won’t take part in #IBI25,” the post read, without specifying the reason behind the 37-year-old Serb’s decision.
This withdrawal means Djokovic will miss one of the key lead-up events to the French Open, which begins on May 26. A six-time champion in Rome, most recently lifting the trophy in 2022, Djokovic now continues his wait for a milestone 100th ATP title.
His most recent title came at the Paris Olympics last year, and 2025 has so far proven challenging. Djokovic is yet to claim a title this season and has struggled to find rhythm on the clay court swing. He suffered a surprising early exit in Madrid last week after losing to Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi, following another first-match loss to Alejandro Tabilo at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Prior to the clay season, Djokovic revealed he had been dealing with an eye infection and described the period as a “new reality” in his career. After his Madrid loss, he acknowledged a shift in mindset: “Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament… It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis.”
The former world No. 1 and current world No. 5 also hinted that Madrid may have marked his final appearance at the tournament. “It could be (my last appearance). I’m not sure if I will come back. Maybe not as a player, of course. I hope it’s not, but it could be.”
Djokovic’s absence from Rome further clouds his prospects for a fourth French Open crown, as questions mount over his form and physical condition in what appears to be an increasingly uncertain season.
