Novak Djokovic Withdraws From Monte Carlo Masters After Miami Open Absence

World No. 3 Novak Djokovic has officially pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters following a right shoulder injury that previously sidelined him in Miami.

Novak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from the Monte Carlo Masters, marking his second consecutive tournament absence. The 38-year-old Serbian, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, opted to skip the clay-court event after previously missing the Miami Open due to a right shoulder injury. Tournament organizers confirmed the news via an Instagram story published on Friday, though the official announcement did not explicitly detail the specific medical reason for his departure from the bracket.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has not competed on the ATP Tour since his fourth-round exit at the BNP Paribas Open two weeks ago. In that final appearance, Djokovic fell in a three-set match against Jack Draper. This recent string of absences follows a period of inactivity for the veteran, who has yet to provide a personal update or comment regarding his health status on his own social media channels.

Djokovic's history at the Monaco venue includes a disappointing result during the previous season. One year ago, the Serbian star suffered an early exit in the second round, losing to Alejandro Tabilo. His current decision prevents him from defending those points or improving upon his 2023 performance on the red dirt.

The tournament's social media statement expressed well-wishes for the veteran's recovery, stating, "We send him our best wishes and hope to see him back on court very soon." Despite the lack of a specified return date, the focus remains on the physical ailment that has hampered his spring schedule. The transition to the European swing is a critical juncture for the world's top-ranked players, yet the veteran remains sidelined while rehabilitating.

By skipping two high-profile Masters 1000 events, the No. 3 ranked player has significantly limited his match play heading into the summer. His last competitive set was played in Indian Wells, where the loss to Draper concluded his run. At 38, Djokovic is managing his schedule amidst these setbacks, which are particularly notable given his historical significance at clay-court venues.

Without a direct statement from the player's camp, the timeline for his return to the tour remains unconfirmed. His inability to compete means he will not gain any ground on the leaders or accumulate fresh points during this portion of the season. The loss to Tabilo in the second round last year set a low bar for points defense, but the medical issue has negated any opportunity for the Serbian to capitalize on that opening.

As the field proceeds without its most decorated active champion, the Friday announcement by officials remains the primary source of information regarding his status. The player continues his silence across digital platforms while the tennis world shifts focus toward the remaining lead-up events.