Jim Courier claims Novak Djokovic has made a ‘very strange’ announcement and he is now worried ahead of Roland Garros

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Novak Djokovic continues his search for a 100th ATP Tour title this season, having won his 99th at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Djokovic has managed to reach one final in 2025 so far, losing out to Jakub Mensik at the Miami Open last month.

Since then, the ATP number five has lost back-to-back matches at the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open.

Djokovic lost his opener at the former to Alejandro Tabilo, before suffering the same fate at the latter to Matteo Arnaldi.

Many of his fellow ATP stars continue their journeys at the Madrid Open this week, but the Serbian has been forced to focus his efforts elsewhere.

Jim Courier surprised by Novak Djokovic Italian Open withdrawal

Such focus will not, however, turn to the Italian Open, with Djokovic having decided to withdraw from next month’s event.

And that is a decision that has really surprised former world number one players Jim Courier and Tracy Austin, particularly given the event comes just before the French Open.

Speaking on TC Live, Courier said: “That is troubling. It is worrying for me as a Novak fan. It’s worrying because it’s the best place to get ready for Roland Garros. The conditions are very similar, it’s back at sea level.

“If you are going to play one between Madrid and Rome, Rome would be the one that you want to play to get ready for Roland Garros. I don’t know what to make of it, but I don’t like the way it feels in the gut.”

Austin replied: “Absolutely, especially because he hasn’t won. He has lost the last three matches in a row in straight sets.

“He hasn’t won a clay court match this year. He lost early in Monte Carlo and early here. He just looks a little out of balance.

READ MORE: The former ATP player who Tracy Austin claims could have won six Grand Slams if he was just more professional

“His footwork wasn’t great the other day in his loss to Arnaldi. He even said that his reality is that he is trying to win a match or two and it’s really tough for a guy who has won 24 majors to be talking like that.

“Jim, I am right on the bandwagon with you. Because that is where you are going to get match tough, before you go to Roland Garros and play three out of five. Those three out of five used to help him, now I’m worried about that.”

Courier then added: “Definitely concerned. It’s a very strange thing to announce, pull out now, well in advance of it and we will see what it all means when we get to Roland Garros.”

What is Novak Djokovic’s record at the Italian Open?

Many tennis fans think Djokovic should retire now given his decline, but that was a scenario that was always going to happen.

Maintaining his stunning standards was an impossible task, just like his fellow legends Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic states what he can ‘proudly say’ he did to Rafael Nadal which very few other tennis players managed

Fortunately for his followers, Djokovic has suggested retirement is not close, but he will be eager to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

And that does make his Italian Open withdrawal a surprise, particularly with the Serbian having lifted the trophy on six occasions and finished as runner-up the same number of times.