Novak Djokovic confirms next tournament participation after Masters of Rome withdrawal

Novak Djokovic surprised the tennis world by announcing his withdrawal from the Rome Open, marking the first time in his storied career that he will miss the event. Since his debut in 2007, the Serbian star had been a fixture at the tournament, competing in 18 consecutive editions. Despite this unexpected decision, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has confirmed his participation in another event before Roland Garros.

After stepping away from the Rome Masters, speculation grew about Djokovic potentially arriving at Roland Garros with minimal clay-court preparation. His only matches on the surface this season resulted in early losses to Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo and Matteo Arnaldi in Madrid. However, Djokovic has decided to add one more tournament to his schedule to gain crucial match practice on clay.

Djokovic will compete at the Geneva Open, an ATP 250 event, after accepting a wildcard. This marks his second consecutive appearance at the Swiss tournament, where he reached the semifinals last year. The Geneva Open will serve as an opportunity for Djokovic to regain form and notch his first clay-court victory of the season before heading to Paris.

The decision to participate in the Geneva Open is notable, as most top players opt for rest before a Grand Slam. Still, Djokovic’s withdrawal from Rome left him needing additional matches to ensure optimal readiness for Roland Garros. The Swiss event also provides him with a chance to capture the 100th ATP title of his career—a milestone he has been chasing.

2023 ATP World Tour Finals is Novak Djokovic’s last ATP title. (Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Djokovic’s Grand Slam focus remains clear

Djokovic has consistently emphasized that his primary focus is on Grand Slam titles. With 24 Majors, he’s tied with Margaret Court for the all-time record, and securing a 25th would make him the sole leader in tennis history.

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After his unexpected loss in Madrid, Djokovic reiterated the importance of Grand Slam events during a press conference. “Obviously, Grand Slams, I’ve said many times, are the most important tournaments for me. Which doesn’t mean that I don’t want to win here—of course, I wanted to—but Grand Slams are where I really want to play my best tennis,” Djokovic explained.

He also acknowledged uncertainty about his form heading into Paris. “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do that in Roland Garros, but I’ll do my best,” he added.

What awaits Djokovic in Geneva?

Djokovic returns to the Geneva Open with 100 ranking points to defend, having reached the semifinals last year. The tournament, running from May 18-24, features a competitive field that includes top-ranked players such as Taylor Fritz (No. 4), Casper Ruud (No. 7), Grigor Dimitrov (No. 15), and Tomas Machac (No. 20).

For Djokovic, the Geneva Open offers not only crucial match play ahead of Roland Garros but also a chance to claim his 100th ATP title—another milestone in his legendary career.