Novak Djokovic to miss Madrid Open as injury problems persist

[p][b]"Madrid, unfortunately I won’t ‌be able to compete this year. I’m continuing my recovery in order to be ‌back soon,"[/b] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/djokovic-novak/AZg49Et9/"]Djokovic[/a], who has struggled ⁠with a ‌shoulder issue, wrote in a post on X.[/p][p]He ​told Spanish broadcaster Movistar+ at a EuroLeague basketball game in the ​Spanish capital on Thursday that he was "struggling physically a little bit with an ⁠injury" but ​expressed hopes of playing in the tournament.[/p][embed guid="9d93965d-1f41-4aa4-b3f7-308112dc700f" url="https://x.com/DjokerNole/status/2045081591068741811" social-type="twitter" /][p]The ‌38-year-old Serb lost to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alcaraz-garfia-carlos/UkhgIFEq/"]Carlos Alcaraz[/a] in ‌the Australian Open final in February and fell to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/draper-jack/SWxNhpmK/"]Jack Draper[/a] in the Indian Wells ‌fourth round last month, before ⁠pulling out of ‌the Miami Open due to a right shoulder ​injury.[/p][p]The 24-time Grand Slam champion then skipped last week's Monte Carlo Masters ​before arriving in Spain to begin preparations for the April 22-May 3 Madrid Open.[/p][p]The draw ​for the tournament will be held ‌on Monday.[/p][p]Djokovic will be looking for a record 25th Grand Slam title when Roland Garros gets under way on May 24.[/p]