<p>World number one Novak Djokovic will not defend his Madrid Open title next week as he decided against travelling for the ATP Masters 1000 event, organisers said on Wednesday.</p>.<p>The 33-year-old was last seen in action on his home soil at the Serbia Open last week, where he reached the semi-finals before losing to Russia's Aslan Karatsev.</p>.<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/comeback-queen-ash-barty-savours-phenomenal-week-in-stuttgart-978957.html" target="_blank">Comeback queen Ash Barty savours 'phenomenal' week in Stuttgart </a></strong></p>.<p>"Sorry that I won't be able to travel to Madrid this year and meet all my fans," Djokovic said in a message shared by the Madrid Open organisers on Twitter.</p>.<p>"It's been two years already, quite a long time. Hope to see you all next year!".</p>.<p>The Covid-19 pandemic had forced the 2020 edition of the Madrid Open to be cancelled, which means 2019 winner Djokovic is still the last champion at the event.</p>.<p>Djokovic is still expected to feature at next month's Rome Masters and Belgrade Open in the lead up to the claycourt major in Paris, which begins on May 30.</p>
<p>World number one Novak Djokovic will not defend his Madrid Open title next week as he decided against travelling for the ATP Masters 1000 event, organisers said on Wednesday.</p>.<p>The 33-year-old was last seen in action on his home soil at the Serbia Open last week, where he reached the semi-finals before losing to Russia's Aslan Karatsev.</p>.<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/comeback-queen-ash-barty-savours-phenomenal-week-in-stuttgart-978957.html" target="_blank">Comeback queen Ash Barty savours 'phenomenal' week in Stuttgart </a></strong></p>.<p>"Sorry that I won't be able to travel to Madrid this year and meet all my fans," Djokovic said in a message shared by the Madrid Open organisers on Twitter.</p>.<p>"It's been two years already, quite a long time. Hope to see you all next year!".</p>.<p>The Covid-19 pandemic had forced the 2020 edition of the Madrid Open to be cancelled, which means 2019 winner Djokovic is still the last champion at the event.</p>.<p>Djokovic is still expected to feature at next month's Rome Masters and Belgrade Open in the lead up to the claycourt major in Paris, which begins on May 30.</p>