Novak Djokovic Must Withdraw From Miami Open Due to Shoulder Issue
The Serb is set to slip out of the world’s top three after withdrawing from Miami, where he reached the final last year
Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the upcoming Miami Open with an injury to his right shoulder. The Serb last played in a three-set loss to Jack Draper in the fourth round of Indian Wells , and will now miss the second half of the ‘Sunshine Double’. Draper, the defending champion, won 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) and Djokovic looked exhausted by the end of a gruelling two-and-a-half hour encounter.
He said afterwards: “[I have] a bitter feeling right now, losing a match like this. But proud of myself for fighting and really giving it all on the court. That's for sure.
“That's the one thing that I'll take as a highlight. Just the fact of not giving up and trying. I lost to a great player, and it was really such an even match throughout the entire two-and-a-half hours.
But I am just a bit disappointed. ” Djokovic has won the Masters 1000 event in Miami six times and reached the final last year, losing to Czech youngster Jakub Mensik. His failure to defend the significant ranking points accrued from a run to the final means he is set to drop out of the world’s top three, with Germany’s world No 4 Alexander Zverev in prime position to overtake him after reaching the semi-finals in Indian Wells.