Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend and multiple-time champion, has officially withdrawn from the Miami Open also known as the Miami Masters), the second prestigious Masters 1000 event of the season following the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The decision comes as a result of a shoulder injury that he picked up during his campaign in the California desert.
Djokovic’s run at Indian Wells this year was already impacted by physical discomfort, as he had been dealing with an unusual and persistent issue in his right forearm, which he described as coming and going, sometimes easing with more serving but flaring up in certain conditions like getting cold.
He pushed through several matches while wearing a supportive sleeve, but his tournament ended with a three-set defeat in the round of 16 against Jack Draper. It appears that the physical demands of those hard-fought contests, or possibly an escalation during the event, led to the shoulder problem emerging or worsening.
This latest setback forces the 38-year-old to skip the Miami event at Hard Rock Stadium, where he has enjoyed significant success in the past as a six-time champion. The withdrawal adds to a growing list of notable players pulling out of the tournament, further reshaping the draw for what is often called the Sunshine Double’s concluding leg.
Fans and analysts will now watch closely for updates on Djokovic’s recovery timeline, as he prioritizes getting fully healthy ahead of the clay-court season and beyond in what continues to be a remarkable late-stage career. The news is undoubtedly disappointing for those hoping to see him compete in Florida, but it underscores the ongoing challenges even the greatest players face in managing their bodies at this elite level.