Djokovic withdrew his name from the Madrid Open after missing the Barcelona Open.

Jannik Sinner, Ivan Ljubicic, Novak Djokovic (Images via X)

Novak Djokovic will turn 37 this month. He is not playing a lot of tournaments, featuring in just three events this year. In his absence, the tennis fraternity is focusing on the younger talents, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

The World No.1 is eyeing titles at major events and will enter into the upcoming French Open to bag his record 25th Grand Slam title. Amidst his absence, Roger Federer‘s former coach Ivan Ljubicic said that he believes current World No.2 Jannik Sinner will ‘soon’ dethrone the Serb one day, no one should take Djokovic lightly because if he gets his form back, it will be difficult for anyone to beat him.

The level is always high. Jannik has more consistency than anyone else, his opponents lose their edge a bit, but in a single game they can always beat him. Winning tournaments is never easy. I wouldn't consider Novak finished. When he's on the ball, and from now on he will be, he remains very difficult to beat.

Ivan Ljubicic said (via La Stampa)

Djokovic withdrew his name from the Madrid Open as well after missing the Barcelona Open. He recently revealed he wants to take a shot at the French Open, Olympics, and the US Open. On the other hand, Sinner and Alcaraz are still playing at Caja Magica, and both have reached the quarterfinals.

Ivan Ljubicic explains why Rafael Nadal may not play the French Open

During that same interview, Ivan Ljubicic talked about Rafael Nadal‘s struggles on the courts following his comeback. Nadal played in Barcelona after missing tennis for three months.

Rafael Nadal (Image via Imago)
He suffered an abdominal tear during the Brisbane International- his first tournament after 11 months. This was after the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s progress in 2023 was hampered by a hip flexor injury during that year’s Australian Open.

Although Nadal is back and the tennis fraternity wants to see him at least for one last time at the French Open, he is uncertain whether to play in Paris or not. Ljubicic explained why Nadal may end up withdrawing his name from the tournament where he lifted the title for a record 14 times.

We've seen him for 20 years. We know his champion mentality. Like Federer at Wimbledon, in Paris, he will only play if he thinks he can get to the end, not to make an appearance.

Ivan Ljubicic said 

After Barcelona, Nadal played at the Madrid Open and enjoyed a smooth run till he faced Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka in the Round of 16. Nadal is unsure whether he will return next year to play on his home soil.