Novak Djokovic Withdraws From Miami Open as Shoulder Injury Halts Quest for Seventh Title

Record holder Novak Djokovic withdraws from the 2026 Miami Open, joining a list of stars sidelined by the grueling spring tennis schedule.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 8:34 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

Shoulder Ailment Forces Legendary Champion to Sideline

Novak Djokovic has been forced to abandon his pursuit of a record,breaking seventh Miami Open title following a confirmed injury to his right shoulder. The Serbian icon, who currently shares the tournament's title record with Andre Agassi, officially pulled out on Sunday after medical evaluations determined he was unfit to compete. According to an official statement released by the ATP, the injury appears to have been exacerbated during his recent grueling performance at Indian Wells, where he participated in both singles and doubles events. This setback leaves the tournament without its most decorated active player and a finalist from the previous year.

Physical Toll of the Sunshine Double Claims More Victims

The rapid transition between the two marquee March tournaments continues to take a heavy toll on the world’s elite athletes. Djokovic is not the only high,profile player to succumb to the physical demands of the extended Masters 1000 format. The ATP entry list has been further thinned by the withdrawals of Holger Rune, Tallon Griekspoor, and Lorenzo Sonego, among others. Analysts suggest that the intense three,set battles in the California desert, specifically Djokovic’s recent marathon encounter with Jack Draper, have left many top seeds struggling with recovery times as they head into the humidity of Florida.

WTA Draw Impacted by Wave of Top Tier Withdrawals

The women’s side of the bracket has faced similar challenges, with a significant number of former top ten stars and major champions ruled out. Notable names missing from the WTA lineup include Marketa Vondrousova, Barbora Krejcikova, and Karolina Pliskova. These absences create a massive vacuum in the draw, potentially opening the door for younger qualifiers and unseeded players to make deep runs. According to tournament organizers, the loss of these established stars is a blow to the event’s prestige, yet it provides a unique opportunity for the next generation to capitalize on a weakened field.