“Djokovic receives warning about ranking after withdrawals from tournaments.”

Novak Djokovic faces a severe warning regarding his future at the top of world tennis following yet another controversial withdrawal! The legendary Serbian tennis player, who is aiming to secure his 25th Grand Slam title and solidify his place in history, is seeing his ambitions threatened due to his increasingly restrictive calendar strategy. The decision to withdraw from several major tournaments such as the Miami Open and now the Monte Carlo Masters not only raises doubts about his motivation but is also having a direct impact on his position in the ATP rankings.

Nowadays, Djokovic no longer hides that his enthusiasm for competing in the ATP Masters 1000 has waned, a reality that is reflected in his absence from prestigious events. This stance has led to the surprising rise of German player Alexander Zverev, who has taken Djokovic’s place as the world number 3, a clear sign that the race for the top is tighter than ever.

Although Djokovic’s focus at this stage of his career may not necessarily be on ranking points, former British number 1 Greg Rusedski issued a stark warning: reducing his participation in tournaments could be a self-inflicted blow to his aspirations of winning another Major. “He needs to compete more regularly to ensure he doesn’t drop in the rankings,” Rusedski warned on his podcast, emphasizing the importance of Djokovic staying within the top four to avoid early clashes with top rivals like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

The logic is clear and brutal: “To win a Grand Slam nowadays, you generally have to get past Alcaraz and Sinner. If he falls out of the top four, he might have to face Zverev early on. Therefore, staying in the top four is crucial for having a realistic chance of triumphing at Wimbledon,” explained the former British tennis player, placing the pressure on Djokovic to return to a more intense competitive schedule.

Djokovic’s absence from Monte Carlo has not been officially justified, but his last competitive outing was a grueling defeat to Jack Draper at the Indian Wells Masters, raising speculations about his physical and mental condition. Nevertheless, the Serbian may have some leeway, as he has few points to defend in the coming weeks, which could allow him to skip Monte Carlo and even Madrid without losing too much ground in the rankings.

Looking ahead to the immediate future, Djokovic will have to do some difficult calculations before Roland Garros, where he is defending a semi-final reached last year. Recently turned 39, the veteran continues to be capable of great feats – as he proved by defeating Sinner at the Australian Open – but the lack of competitive rhythm is a shadow hanging over his performance.

The message is clear: time is running out for the Serbian phenomenon, who urgently needs to re-enter the circuit to keep the flame of his pursuit for a 25th Grand Slam alive. If he does not adjust his strategy, Djokovic’s reign may be closer to the end than many wish to admit. The battle for the top of world tennis is fiercer than ever, and every misstep could cost a living legend dearly in his quest for ultimate glory.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.