As the tennis world turns its gaze toward the 2025 French Open, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, finds himself at a crossroads. The Serbian superstar, renowned for his unrelenting dominance, has withdrawn from the Italian Open in Rome, a critical warm-up event for Roland Garros. This decision, coupled with a string of recent losses and a lack of clay-court victories this season, raises concerns about his form and fitness as he approaches the second major of the year, set to begin on May 25. For a player who has long been a titan on the red dirt of Paris, this unexpected stumble has fans and analysts alike questioning whether Djokovic can reclaim his throne at Roland Garros.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been uncharacteristically turbulent. The 37-year-old, currently ranked world number five, has yet to secure a title this year, a stark contrast to his record-breaking career. His clay-court campaign began with promise but quickly unraveled. At the Monte Carlo Masters in April, he suffered a surprising defeat to world number 44 Alejandro Tabilo in the Round of 32. A week later, at the Madrid Open, he fell in his opening match to Matteo Arnaldi, another lower-ranked opponent. These back-to-back losses marked a rare low point for Djokovic, who has not won a match on clay in 2025. “Roland Garros,” he declared after his Monte Carlo exit, signaling his singular focus on the French Open. Yet, his withdrawal from Rome—his first absence from the tournament since 2007—suggests that all is not well.
The decision to skip Rome, a tournament whose conditions closely mirror those of Roland Garros, has sparked worry. “It’s worrying because that’s the best place to get ready for Roland Garros,” a former French Open champion remarked, highlighting the importance of Rome’s sea-level clay courts for fine-tuning a player’s game. Djokovic’s absence means he will enter the French Open with just two clay-court matches under his belt, both losses, and a three-match losing streak overall. This is the first time since 2005 that he will arrive in Paris without a single clay-court win, a statistic that underscores the magnitude of his current challenges.
Djokovic’s struggles this year have not been limited to clay. His season began with a shocking retirement in the Australian Open semifinals against Alexander Zverev, where a deep hamstring tear forced him to concede after dropping the first set. “I did everything I possibly can to basically manage the muscle tear that I had,” Djokovic said afterward, revealing the severity of the injury. A scan he shared publicly confirmed a significant tear, silencing critics who questioned the legitimacy of his withdrawal. Despite a quicker-than-expected recovery, which saw him return to action at the Qatar Open in February, his form has remained inconsistent. Losses at Indian Wells, Miami, and now the clay events have fueled speculation about whether age and injuries are finally catching up to the Serbian legend.
The road to Roland Garros is further complicated by the absence of key rivals, which paradoxically adds pressure. With Carlos Alcaraz nursing a double adductor injury and Jannik Sinner returning from a three-month suspension, the field is wide open. Yet, Djokovic’s lack of match practice could hinder his ability to capitalize. Roland Garros, where he has triumphed three times, including in 2023, demands peak physical and mental resilience. His 2024 campaign was derailed by a meniscus tear in his right knee, forcing a withdrawal before the quarterfinals. “I am really sad to announce that I have to withdraw,” he said then, a sentiment that echoes the current uncertainty surrounding his preparation.
Despite these setbacks, Djokovic’s resolve remains unshaken. In a recent interview, he spoke of his recovery from the hamstring injury: “There is no more rupture in the muscle, the injury is almost 100 percent repaired and I am ready to go to new work victories.” His history of defying the odds—such as winning the 2023 Australian Open with a 3cm hamstring tear—suggests he should not be counted out. However, the lack of competitive rhythm on clay, coupled with the physical demands of best-of-five-set matches, poses a formidable challenge. Some speculate he may opt for a smaller ATP 250 event, as he did in Geneva last year, to gain match practice before Paris.
As Roland Garros approaches, Djokovic’s legacy as one of tennis’s greatest players is secure, but his immediate future is clouded. The absence of clay-court wins, a rare losing streak, and the physical toll of a grueling career all loom large. Yet, his burning desire to add a 25th Grand Slam title and reclaim the world number one ranking fuels his pursuit. “My body still listens to me, I still have a burning flame,” he affirmed, a testament to his enduring passion. Whether he can harness that fire to conquer the red clay of Paris remains one of the most compelling storylines of the 2025 tennis season.
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