Novak Djokovic’s 2025 season, already marked by significant challenges, faces another potential setback with his withdrawal from the 2025 Italian Open in Rome, announced on April 29, 2025, as reported by CNN and Reuters. This decision, coupled with his ongoing struggles, including a three-match losing streak and no clay-court wins this season, has raised concerns about his form heading into the French Open, starting May 25, 2025. The 24-time Grand Slam champion’s absence from Rome, a key Roland Garros warm-up event, means he will enter the French Open without competitive clay matches, a critical blow to his preparation for a tournament where he is a three-time champion.
Djokovic’s season has been turbulent, with a 12-7 win-loss record, a stark contrast to his 56-7 record in 2023. His early exits in four of his last five tournaments, including first-round losses to Matteo Arnaldi at the Madrid Open (6-3, 6-4) and Alejandro Tabilo at Monte Carlo (6-3, 6-4), highlight a rare dip in consistency. Posts on X, such as from @josemorgado, underscore the gravity of his situation: “He will enter Roland Garros on a 3-match losing streak and 0-2 on clay in 2025.” Former Roland Garros champion Jim Courier, quoted by Reuters, called the Rome withdrawal “worrying” for Djokovic’s fans, noting that Rome’s conditions, similar to Paris, would have been ideal for regaining rhythm.
Injuries have compounded Djokovic’s woes. He retired in the Australian Open semifinal due to a leg injury and battled an eye infection during the Miami Open final loss to Jakub Mensik. Djokovic himself described this as a “new reality” in a press conference after his Madrid defeat, admitting, “It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis.” His mental struggle was evident as he waved goodbye to the Madrid crowd, hinting at a possible final appearance there.
The rise of younger stars like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jack Draper, who reached the Madrid semi-finals, adds pressure. Djokovic’s goal of a 100th ATP title and a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam remains elusive, with his last title at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Without Rome, his French Open prospects dim, potentially deepening the narrative of a season spiraling from bad to worse.
