World No. 1 Novak Djokovic withdraws from Miami Open 2024

The Serbian tennis ace, Novak Djokovic, was knocked out from the third round of the Indian Wells Open.

After his dismal performance and shock exit from the Indian Wells Open 2024, the Serbian has decided to sit out of the upcoming Miami Open 2024. He fell to lucky loser Italy’s Luca Nardi in the third round of the 2024 BNP Paribas Open. Nardi, ranked No. 123, made the most of his Indian Wells debut to get the better of the World No. 1 in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Djokovic lost to another Italian – Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the season-opening Australian Open, where he was a 10-time champion. Prior to his semi-final clash with Sinner, he had reached four consecutive finals in Melbourne and won all of them.

The Serbian is 8-3 this season, and unusually for him without a title at this stage of a new season.

🚨 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from Miami 🇺🇸🇷🇸 pic.twitter.com/aMaH1y0YuA

— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) March 14, 2024

Jannik Sinner will be taking on defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open. A maiden appearance in the final is up for grabs for the World No. 3.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner decided to skip the Miami tournament after a disappointing performance at his first Indian Wells appearance in five years. He last played in the ‘Sunshine Double’ in 2019. That year, too, he had made a third-round exit against German Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets. The Serbian has won five times at Indian Wells and hoped to notch up a sixth win.

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Another Indian Wells champion and three-time winner, Rafael Nadal, who withdrew from Indian Wells, is also missing on the Miami Open entry list. Nadal last played the South Florida event in 2017.

By skipping Miami, Djokovic gives Jannik Sinner an opportunity to challenge the 36-year-old for the World No. 1 ranking as the clay court season of the tennis calendar rolls around.

The Serbian star notched up his 400th ATP 1000 win at Indian Wells, even as he inches towards another milestone – 1100 career wins.

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