The whole tennis world has noticed several changes in Novak Djokovic‘s schedule for this season. The tennis star who always loved to play the maximum possible matches to keep his legacy intact, appears to be very careful in choosing the tournaments that he takes part in this year. Continuing the same during the European clay court season, the tennis star recently stunned fans with his withdrawal from Madrid.

The Serb made his first clay court appearance of 2024 at the Monte-Carlo Masters. While everyone expected to see more of him, he pulled his name out from Madrid in a shocking move. The fans were still not over this update and Matteo Berrettini gave out another one by following Djokovic’s footsteps to lead himself out of the tournament.

“I have been struggling with an illness the last few days which has now evolved into tonsillitis and a fever. Following another assessment my doctor advised it would be unsafe to try and compete in Madrid,” Berrettini shared on his Instagram story, as an explanation for his sudden withdrawal.

Although Daniel Elahi Galan entered the tournament in his place, the fans still don’t see it as compensation for missing a major highlight of the ATP Tour. As a series of bad news already surrounds the event’s initiation, it still remains to be seen what else the tournament in Madrid will unfold.

Novak Djokovic’s absence from multiple tournaments has not only tested fans’ patience to a great extent but also had a negative impact on his stats. The Serb, who is known for consistency in attaining achievements, has failed to grab any title this season. While his current win-loss statistics show an alarming 11-4 number, it still remains to be seen if he will be able to save his legacy.

Novak Djokovic’s exit to serve Rafael Nadal with reduced competition

Although the exit of Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini raises the disappointment levels for the fans, it could still be a positive update for Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard, who recently stepped back into the game with the Barcelona Open, is looking forward to gaining back momentum in the scene and this could be an opportunity for him.

Taking a deeper dive into the history of their participation in the event, there were two moments when the Serb stopped Rafa from clinching the title. Their final match showdown back in 2009 and 2011 saw Djokovic end the Spaniard’s run for the title by defeating him in the finals. As Rafa now has a golden chance to seek glory, it still remains to be seen if the absence of notable competitors works positively for him.