Novak Djokovic Withdraws From Miami Open Citing Right Shoulder Injury

Six-time tournament champion Novak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from the Miami Open due to a right shoulder injury, officials confirmed Sunday.

Tournament officials in Miami Gardens, Fla., confirmed Sunday that Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Miami Open. The world No. 3 is currently sidelined by a right shoulder injury, an ailment that prevents him from pursuing a seventh career title at this specific ATP Masters 1000 event. This medical announcement arrived less than 24 hours before the men’s singles draw was scheduled for its Monday release. The Serbian veteran recently participated at Indian Wells, where he progressed to the fourth round in singles and reached the second round of the doubles bracket before this physical setback occurred.

Djokovic currently shares two significant all-time men’s singles records at the Miami Open with retired American legend Andre Agassi. The 24-time Grand Slam winner secured his six trophies in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Beyond his victories, he has reached the final round on eight separate occasions, a tally that includes a runner-up finish during the 2009 season. His most recent appearance in the championship match took place last year, resulting in a defeat against Jakub Menšík.

The Djokovic shoulder injury follows a 2024 campaign that began with a deep run at the Australian Open. During that first major of the calendar year, the top-tier competitor reached the final but ultimately fell to Carlos Alcaraz. Despite the loss in Melbourne and the current inability to compete in Florida, his global ranking remains steady at the No. 3 position. The absence of the six-time champion creates a significant void in the top half of the upcoming bracket, as he was expected to be a primary seed.

Statistical analysis of his career in Miami Gardens reveals a dominance spanning nearly two decades. Since his maiden victory in 2007, he has maintained a high win percentage on these hard courts, often utilizing the humid conditions to outlast opponents in extended rallies. His withdrawal means the tournament will proceed without its most decorated active participant. No other player in the current field has matched his record of three consecutive titles achieved between 2014 and 2016.

With the Monday draw approaching, organizers must now reconfigure the seeding list to account for the vacancy left by the injured star. The right shoulder issue marks a rare mid-season interruption for the athlete, who had been building momentum following his doubles and singles appearances in California. Fans who purchased tickets expecting to see the 24-time major winner will instead see a field led by younger rivals. The focus of the medical staff now shifts toward recovery timelines as the tour prepares to transition into the clay-court swing following the conclusion of the festivities in Florida. This exit ensures that a different competitor will hoist the trophy this year, as the historical leader of the event watches from the sidelines.