• Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Italian Open, impacting his French Open preparation.
• This marks his first absence from the tournament since 2007.
• His recent performance includes three consecutive losses on clay.
• Djokovic aims for his 25th Grand Slam title at the upcoming French Open.
• Concerns grow over his form as he heads to Roland Garros winless this season.

Six-time champion Novak Djokovic has announced his withdrawal from the Italian Open, which will significantly affect his preparation for the French Open set to begin shortly thereafter. This marks the first time since 2007 that he will miss the Masters 1000 event in Rome, where he has achieved considerable success over the years, with six titles to his name, most recently in 2022, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

Despite entering the clay season with high expectations, Djokovic has faced a disappointing performance. He has lost three consecutive matches at major tournaments, including an early exit in the Madrid Open, where he was eliminated by Matteo Arnaldi. Following this loss, the 37-year-old hinted at a potential end to his participation at the Italian Open, stating, “It could be my last appearance,” which raises further concerns about his form heading into Roland Garros, according to Newsweek and Dawn.

The withdrawal from the Italian Open comes as Djokovic strives for his 100th tour-level title and adjusts to a "new reality" of facing earlier exits from tournaments, indicating a mental shift in his approach to competition. He remarked on this change, expressing a need to focus on winning matches rather than advancing deep into tournaments, highlighting a challenging period in his illustrious career, according to Newsweek and Dawn.