Former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Italian Open amid a three-match losing streak and months of struggling with his form.

Novak Djokovic has formally withdrawn from the Italian Open, which is scheduled to start on May 7, 2025, a decision that has shocked the tennis world. Long-time ruler of Rome’s clay courts, the 24-time Grand Slam champion will enter the French Open later this month without a single match victory on clay in 2025.

Novak Djokovic said he had to face up to his “new reality” after another opening-match loss, this time to world No. 44 Matteo Arnaldi at the Madrid Open. “Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,” Djokovic said in a news conference Saturday of his expectations going into events in 2025.