In a move that has sent ripples through the tennis world, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has withdrawn from the 2025 Italian Open, a key clay-court event set to begin May 7 in Rome. The decision, announced abruptly, marks the first time since 2006 that the Serbian legend will miss the Masters 1000 tournament, where he has claimed six titles. Coming off a string of uncharacteristic losses and with no official reason provided for the pullout, the news has sparked concern and speculation, particularly from former world No. 1 Jim Courier, who labeled the move “troubling” and “worrying.” As Djokovic, now 37, prepares for the French Open, his absence from Rome raises questions about his form, fitness, and readiness for the clay-court Grand Slam.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a stark departure from his era of dominance. With a 12-7 record and no titles since his 2023 ATP Finals triumph, the world No. 5 has struggled to find his rhythm. His clay campaign has been particularly dismal, with straight-set losses in his opening matches at the Monte Carlo Masters to Alejandro Tabilo (6-3, 6-4) and the Madrid Open to Matteo Arnaldi (6-3, 6-4). These defeats, part of a rare three-match losing streak that includes a Miami Open final loss to Jakub Mensik, have left Djokovic grappling with what he called a “new reality” after Madrid. “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,” he admitted, his words reflecting a mental and physical toll unfamiliar to a player who once seemed invincible.
Courier, a four-time major champion and Roland Garros winner in 1991 and 1992, expressed deep unease about Djokovic’s withdrawal during a Tennis Channel appearance. “Has he listed a reason why? That’s troubling, that’s worrying for me as a Novak fan,” he said, emphasizing Rome’s critical role in French Open preparation. Unlike Madrid, where high altitude speeds up play, Rome’s sea-level conditions mirror those of Roland Garros, making it an ideal tune-up. “If you’re gonna play one between Madrid and Rome, Rome would be the one you’d want to play to get ready for Roland Garros,” Courier added. The early announcement, well before the tournament’s start, struck him as particularly odd. “I don’t know what to make of it, but I don’t like the way it feels in the gut,” he confessed, a sentiment echoed by former No. 1 Tracy Austin, who found Djokovic’s post-Madrid comments alarming.
The withdrawal follows a challenging year marked by physical setbacks. A hamstring injury forced Djokovic to retire in the Australian Open semi-finals, and last year’s knee surgery after a Roland Garros injury disrupted his 2024 season. Despite a gold-medal triumph over Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics, the