Novak Djokovic's 2026 season continues to unravel. The 38-year-old Serbian confirmed his withdrawal from the Mutua Madrid Open on Friday, citing an ongoing right shoulder injury that has plagued him since Indian Wells in March.
"Madrid, unfortunately I won't be able to compete this year. I'm continuing my recovery in order to be back soon. Hasta pronto!" wrote the three-time Madrid champion on social media.
The shoulder problem has now forced Djokovic to miss three consecutive Masters 1000 events — Miami, Monte-Carlo, and Madrid. In what is shaping up to be his most limited season in over a decade, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has competed in just two tournaments this year: the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
The timeline is tightening. Rome, beginning May 6, is his next scheduled stop. But whether the 40-time Masters 1000 title holder can mount any serious challenge at Roland-Garros with so little match play remains a pressing question.
Madrid loses both its headliners in one week. Carlos Alcaraz, nursing a right wrist injury picked up in Barcelona, had already confirmed his absence. "It hurts so much not to be able to play here for the second year in a row," said the Spaniard about his home Masters event.
With Djokovic and Alcaraz out, the draw opens up significantly. Alexander Zverev, fresh off a semifinal loss to Flavio Cobolli in Munich, could seize the opportunity. But the broader picture is clear: the old guard is running on fumes, and the calendar waits for no one.
