Djokovic's announcement follows his shock loss last week to world number 123 Luca Nardi in Indian Wells.
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic will skip the Miami Open, saying less than a week after a surprise loss in Indian Wells that he needs to balance his “private and professional calendar.”
Djokovic's announcement Saturday on his social media accounts follows his 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 loss to little-known Luca Nardi on Monday in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.
“At this stage of my career, I am balancing my private and professional schedule. “I’m sorry I won’t be able to meet some of the best and most passionate fans in the world,” Djokovic wrote.
Nardi, ranked No. 123, became the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam or ATP Masters 1000-level event, beating No. 122 Kevin Anderson in 2008 in Miami.
The 20-year-old Italian entered the field as a “lucky loser,” a player who stumbled over the final hurdle in qualifying but made it to the main draw replacing an injured player who withdrew before the first round.
Djokovic, 36, is a six-time champion in Miami. The men's hard court tournament begins on March 20.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is 8-2 on the season but has yet to win a title in 2024.
