5 big tournaments Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from in 2024 ft. Paris Masters
Novak Djokovic has endured one of the most difficult seasons of his career. The Serbian has failed to win a single ATP title throughout the year for the first time in his career since 2006. However, an Olympic gold medal in Paris has elevated his poor season into a historic one.
Djokovic said at the end of last season that he would pick and choose tournaments to compete in due to his aging body. The Serbian star has done exactly that and concentrated on Grand Slams and Davis matches more in 2024.
Novak Djokovic is at a point where he has nothing left to prove in his career. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is only competing in major tournaments and important Masters events and that often leads to him withdrawing from other big tournaments.
Here is a list of five big tournaments that Djokovic has withdrawn from in 2024:
#1. Miami Masters
After competing at the Indian Wells in 2024, Djokovic announced he was withdrawing from the Miami Masters. The Serbian only played one part in the famous 'Sunshine Double' in 2024.
Djokovic's withdrawal came as a big shock as the 37-year-old is one of the most successful players of all time in Miami. The Serbian has won six titles at the Miami Masters with his last title win coming in 2016.
In Djokovic's absence, Jannik Sinner went on the win the Miami Masters to back up his Australian Open triumph.
#2. Madrid Open
Novak Djokovic withdrew from the Madrid Open in preparation for the Roland Garros. The three-time winner in Madrid opted to take a break after his Monte-Carlos Masters exhaustion and returned to compete at the Italian Open.
Over the years, Rafael Nadal has dominated at the Madrid Open, winning the title a record five times. Novak Djokovic is second on the list with three titles to his name. In 2024, Andrey Rublev won the Madrid Open defeating Felix Auger Aliassime in the final.
#3. Cincinnati Open
The defending champion Novak Djokovic announced his withdrawal from the Cincinnati Open after winning the gold medal in the Paris Olympics 2024. The Serbian star did not play in any tournament to prepare for the US Open in 2024.
In 2023, Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling final at Cincinnati. The 24-time Grand Slam champion saved a championship point and came from one set down to win the match.
This year, Jannik Sinner emerged victorious in the final against Frances Tiafoe in straight sets.
#4. China Open
Novak Djokovic's withdrawal from the China Open came as a big surprise. He is the most successful player ever at the event winning the title six times. Djokovic won six China Open titles in seven years between 2009 to 2015. This year, however, the Serbian star opted to compete at the Shanghai Masters.
Djokovic usually enjoys the Asian swing of the season as he has incredible records at the China Open and the Shanghai Masters. However, with the Serb looking after his body, he opted out of the China Open in 2024.
Carlos Alcaraz won the China Open in 2024, beating rival Jannik Sinner in a thrilling three-setter in the final.
#5. Paris Masters
After competing at the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia, Djokovic withdrew from the Paris Masters. Djokovic is a record winner at the Paris Masters with seven titles.
After winning his first Paris Masters title in 2009, Djokovic had to wait until 2013 to win his next. The Serbian star then went on to win three back-to-back titles from 2013 to 2015. His last Paris Masters win came in 2023 after he defeated Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets in the final.