Novak Djokovic may have stepped away from competition, but he is far from stepping away from preparation. Days after withdrawing from the Madrid Open, the 24-time Grand Slam champion was spotted back on court in Marbella, Spain, signaling that his focus has already shifted toward regaining rhythm ahead of a potential return during the clay swing.
Novak Djokovic Opts for Recovery Over Competition with a Series of High-Profile Withdrawals
The Serbian tennis star’s last competitive outing came at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where he entered as the No. 3 seed but struggled to find his usual dominance. He needed three sets to get past both Kamil Majchrzak and Aleksandar Kovacevic in the opening rounds.
The former World No. 1’s campaign ended in the Round of 16, where the 2025 singles champion, Jack Draper, edged him out in a tightly contested three-set battle, 6-4, 4-6, 6-7(5). That loss marked an early exit by Djokovic’s standards and underscored the physical and competitive challenges he has faced this season.
In the weeks that followed, Djokovic’s schedule took a notable turn. Prioritizing recovery from a right shoulder issue and mindful of workload at age 38, he withdrew from multiple ATP Masters 1000 events, including the Miami Open, Monte-Carlo Masters, and, most recently, the Madrid Open.
MORE: Novak Djokovic’s Brief Madrid Open Withdrawal Message Comes a Day After Training
Despite those absences, footage surfaced on X from Marbella showed the 38-year-old actively training on the clay courts at the Puente Romano Tennis Club. The session suggested a clear intent to rebuild form rather than rest completely, with reports indicating he is targeting a return at the Italian Open in May.
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The timing of the footage added intrigue, arriving just days before the Serbian tennis star is scheduled to co-host the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid alongside freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu. Scheduled for Monday evening, April 20, at the iconic Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid, the event marks the first time two active elite athletes have shared the hosting duties.
Djokovic’s transition to host is a natural evolution of his long-standing relationship with the organization. As a five-time winner of the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award and a 24-time Grand Slam champion, he is one of the most decorated figures in the Academy’s history. He presented an award to pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis at last year’s ceremony.
