As the clay courts of Roland Garros loom on the horizon, Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis titan, has sent ripples through the tennis world with a dramatic change to his 2025 schedule. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, renowned for his meticulous preparation, has withdrawn from the Italian Open in Rome, a tournament he has contested every year since 2007. This unexpected decision, announced just weeks before the French Open begins on May 25, stems from a string of lackluster performances on clay and a strategic pivot to prioritize peak form for the second Grand Slam of the season. At 37, Djokovic is navigating the twilight of his career with a singular focus: capturing a record-extending 25th major title.
Djokovic’s 2025 clay season has been uncharacteristically rocky. Early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid, where he fell to Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi respectively, exposed vulnerabilities in his game. In Monte Carlo, he admitted to a “horrible” performance, lamenting, “I expected myself at least to have put in a decent performance. Not like this.” Against Arnaldi in Madrid, he racked up 32 unforced errors, his movement labored and decision-making faltering. “It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis,” he confessed, acknowledging a new reality where early tournament losses have become a recurring challenge. These defeats, coupled with opening-round losses in Doha and Indian Wells, have seen him drop to No. 5 in the ATP rankings, a precarious position that risks a tougher draw in Paris.
The decision to skip Rome, a Masters 1000 event where he has won six titles, underscores Djokovic’s laser focus on Roland Garros. Traditionally, Rome’s slow, heavy clay mirrors the conditions in Paris, making it a critical tune-up. But after a grueling season marked by a knee injury in 2024 and a demanding Olympic gold medal run, Djokovic is prioritizing rest and targeted training. “Roland Garros, that’s it,” he declared after his Monte Carlo loss, signaling his intent to channel all efforts into the French Open. By returning home to Belgrade, he plans to train intensely with his team, including new coach Andy Murray, to hone his clay-court game. This full-immersion approach aims to address the technical and mental lapses that plagued him in recent matches, particularly his unforced errors and inconsistent baseline play.
Djokovic’s choice is not without risks. Skipping Rome means forgoing valuable match practice and ranking points, which could see him seeded outside the top four at Roland Garros. “If he’s not in the top four seeds in Paris, he risks being very exposed from the quarter-finals,” warned former doubles world No. 1 Nicolas Mahut, highlighting the potential for early clashes with top players like Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz. Yet, Djokovic remains optimistic, drawing on his storied history at Roland Garros, where he has triumphed three times (2016, 2021, 2023). “Of course I’m always trying to be optimistic, and I know what I’m capable of,” he said after the Madrid defeat, emphasizing his belief in peaking when it matters most.
This strategic shift also reflects Djokovic’s evolving approach to his career. At 38 by the tournament’s start, he is adapting to the physical demands of age, as noted by former world No. 6 Gilles Simon. “He’s serving better and better, because he needs more free points than before,” Simon observed, pointing to Djokovic’s smarter, more aggressive play to conserve energy. This tactical evolution was evident in his 2023 Roland Garros title run, where he paced himself through matches, a departure from his earlier relentless style. Fans on social media have speculated about his preparation, with some suggesting he might play a smaller ATP 250 event like Geneva, as he did in 2024, to gain match rhythm before Paris.
Djokovic’s withdrawal from Rome is a high-stakes gamble, but it’s one rooted in his unrelenting pursuit of greatness. With a career Golden Slam and 99 ATP titles already in his trophy cabinet, the lure of a 100th title and a fourth French Open crown drives him. As he retreats to Belgrade to recalibrate, the tennis world watches with bated breath, knowing that Djokovic, even in a slump, remains a formidable force. “With Novak, you never know,” said Stefanos Tsitsipas, a former Roland Garros finalist. Come May 25, the clay of Paris will reveal whether Djokovic’s bold strategy pays off—or if his new reality proves too steep a challenge.
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