Novak Djokovic said he would not play at the ATP Miami Open on Friday.© AFP
World number one Novak Djokovic said he would not play at the ATP Miami Open on Friday, leaving fellow Grand Slam veterans Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the next week’s event. The 33-year-old Serbian star won her 18th Grand Slam singles crown and ninth Australian Open singles title last month. He is third on the all-time men’s list after 20 slam titles owned by Swiss star Federer and Spaniard Nadal, who will try to defend their French Open title in the next slam performance on the red clay of Roland Garros.
Djokovic tweeted on Friday, “Dear fans, I am very sorry to announce that this year I will not travel to compete in Miami.”
Six-time Miami champion Djokovic cited the global travel issues and events caused by the Kovid-19 epidemic and his desire to balance family life.
“I decided to use this precious time at home to be with my family,” he said. “With all the restrictions, I need to find a balance in the tour and my time at home. I look forward to coming back next year!”
Federer won the most recent Miami Open title in 2019, his fourth career trophy at the event, after the tournament was closed last year due to a deadly virus outbreak. He wanted to work on his fitness ahead of other majors later this season.
The left-handed 34-year-old Nadal has not played since last month’s Australian Open quarter-final exit by Stephanos Tsitipas of Greece.
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Nadal tweeted earlier this month, “Sad to announce that I’m not the city to play in Miami, which I love.” “I need to fully recover and prepare for clay court season in Europe.”
Nadal achieved his fifth consecutive French Open title and 14th career crown at Roland Garros. He never won the Miami crown, dropping five finals.
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