Novak Djokovic, a six-time Miami Open champion, will be absent from this year’s event.
After losing a close fourth-round match to Jack Draper in Indian Wells, Djokovic looked set to travel to Florida.
However, on Sunday, Djokovic withdrew from the Miami Open, citing a right shoulder injury.
Can Carlos Alcaraz win MORE Grand Slams than Novak Djokovic? 🤔
The news represents a disappointing development for both Djokovic and for those who were hoping to watch the 24-time Grand Slam champion compete at the Floridian event.
Andy Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion, has reacted to the news, expressing his disappointment at some of the reaction to Djokovic’s withdrawal.
Andy Roddick is ‘annoyed’ by the reaction of some tennis fans to Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal
“Here is what annoys me in this scenario,” Roddick [pictured below] began on the Served podcast. “He was gone. It would have been a miracle if he played Miami.
“But when Novak goes ‘I am not chasing the number one ranking, I’m here for majors, I’m proving new success rates with longevity at this age, and I will prioritise my family and want to see my kids grow up’. Everyone goes that’s great, that’s what you should do.
“And then a certain section of people when he pulls out of Miami [get angry] and say ‘he’s pulling out of Miami!’
“That’s the same thing. All the things he has done for the last 18 months is this decision.
“Sitting around and playing Miami and doing practice sets and the whole thing, no. The next tournament is Monte-Carlo. Guess how it is going to be in Monte-Carlo? His family. Those are the exact same conversations.
“If you understand the macro-conversation about something you can’t be upset about the micro-decisions that lead to that conversation.
“He has gone. He does not need to spend two weeks training. He does not need to win Miami, he’s Novak!”
Roddick is spot on with his analysis. Djokovic has made no secret of his desire to plan his schedule around Grand Slam events, and to prioritise his family over his tennis career.
Moreover, Djokovic has suffered a right shoulder injury; it would be simply ludicrous for him to attempt to compete in Miami.
While Djokovic is a physical phenomenon, at 38 years old, he is not the ‘spring chicken’ he once was.
Prioritising Grand Slam events and his family is undoubtedly a smart decision on the part of Djokovic. Therefore, if he decides to withdraw from lower-tier events in order to aid an injury and better prepare for major tournaments, little criticism should come his way.
Novak Djokovic’s record is safe
Novak Djokovic’s start to the 2011 season remains the greatest in Open Era history.
The Serb won 41 consecutive matches, winning Australian Open and multiple Masters titles before being beaten by Roger Federer in the French Open semi-finals.
Carlos Alcaraz had begun the 2026 season in a similar vein of form, winning 16 consecutive matches to start the year.
However, Alcaraz was defeated by Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells semi-finals.
