After Rafael Nadal, world number one Novak Djokovic (35) also canceled his start at the ATP Masters in Madrid (from Wednesday).
The organizers announced this on Saturday. The three-time tournament winner recently suffered from an elbow injury in his right arm, Djokovic lost early in Monte Carlo and also in Banja Luka/Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Nadal (36) has not played on clay so far this year after his hip injury. For the two Grand Slam record champions (22 titles each), the preparation time until the French Open in Paris (from May 28th) will be tight. Before the high point of the clay court season, the Masters in Rome (from May 10th) is still on the program.
Djokovic had lost in straight sets to fellow Serbian Dusan Lajovic in the quarter-finals in Banja Luka and then said: “I was way below my potential. If I play like that, I can’t win against opponents who are strong on this surface. But what can I do? It’s just sport.”