Novak Djokovic Withdraws From Miami Masters 2024 Days After Talking About Missing Playing Tournaments in the United States

Novak Djokovic recently suffered one of the most shocking losses of his 19-year career. Going up against the World No. 123 Luca Nardi, who qualified in the main draw of the Indian Wells 2024 as the “Lucky Loser”, Djokovic was expected to breeze past the Italian. Instead, the Serb was stunned by the 20-year-old, suffering a 4-6, 6-3, 3-6 upset.

While fans of the 24-time Grand Slam winner will be disheartened after a subpar performance, what will add to their woes is not to see their favorite player play at the Miami Masters 2024. On Thursday, Forbes reported that Djokovic will be skipping the Florida-based ATP 1000 event, although no substantial reason or official statement from the player has been given.

The news comes as a shock as following his 2^nd loss of the 2024 season, Novak Djokovic did hint at his participation at the Miami Masters 2024 in a press conference. The World No.1 had claimed that he missed playing at the ATP 1000 tournaments based in the United States.

“I wasn’t enjoying not playing the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) last couple of years. I really wanted to come (this year) and I really enjoy being both in Indian Wells and Miami,” Djokovic said following his third-round loss.

“Miami is there, so let’s see,” he said of the next Masters date, as reported by France 24.

The Miami Masters 2024 is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the tennis calendar. However, Novak Djokovic is now apparently heading back home to prepare for the clay season, so his next tournament mostly would be the Monte Carlo Masters 2024.

How many times has Novak Djokovic won the Miami Masters?

Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi jointly hold the record for the most Miami Masters titles, having won the event 6 times.

Djokovic won the event in his first finals appearance in 2007. After suffering a finals loss in 2009, the Serb went on to win the tournament for two straight years in 2011 and 2012. Once again, after Andy Murray’s win in 2013, Djokovic had an incredible run in Miami, winning the ATP 1000 tournament in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Novak Djokovic last participated in the event in 2019. After dominating in the first few matches, the then #1 seed suffered a shocking loss to Roberto Bautista Agut in the fourth round.