Top-ranked Novak Djokovic will skip the Miami Open, saying less than a week after a surprise loss at Indian Wells that he needs to balance his “private and professional schedule.” (More Tennis News)
Djokovic's announcement Saturday on his social media accounts follows his 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 defe⛦at to unheralded Luca Nardi on Monday in the third round of the ൩BNP Paribas Open.
“At this stage o🌜f my career, I'm balancing my private and prof♐essional schedule. I'm sorry that I won't experience some of the best and most passionate fans in the world,” Djokovic wrote.
Nardi, who is ranked No. 123, become the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam or ATP Masters 1000 level event, surpassing⛎ No. 122 Kevin Anderson in 2008 in꧑ Miami.
The 20-year-old Italian got into the field as a “lucky loser,” which is a player who stumbled on the final hurdle in qualifying but made it into the main draw ওas a replacement ཧfor an injured player who pulled out before the first round.
The 36-year-old Djoওkovic is a six-time champion in Miami. The hardcourt tournament begins next week.
