MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Prime-ranked Novak Djokovic will skip the Miami Open, saying lower than per week after a shock loss at Indian Wells that he must stability his “non-public {and professional} schedule.”
Djokovic’s announcement Saturday on his social media accounts follows his 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 defeat to unheralded Luca Nardi on Monday within the third spherical of the BNP Paribas Open.
“At this stage of my profession, I’m balancing my non-public {and professional} schedule. I’m sorry that I received’t expertise among the greatest and most passionate followers on the earth,” Djokovic wrote.
Nardi, who’s ranked No. 123, grow to be the lowest-ranked participant to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam or ATP Masters 1000 stage occasion, surpassing No. 122 Kevin Anderson in 2008 in Miami.
The 20-year-old Italian obtained into the sector as a “fortunate loser,” which is a participant who came upon the ultimate hurdle in qualifying however made it into the principle draw as a alternative for an injured participant who pulled out earlier than the primary spherical.
The 36-year-old Djokovic is a six-time champion in Miami. The hardcourt event begins subsequent week.
