Djokovic skips Madrid to concentrate on Roman conquest before French Open

World number one Novak Djokovic pulled out of the Madrid Masters clay court tournament but is likely to play at the Italian Open – also on clay – next month in Rome. REUTERS - GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE

Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic on Monday confirmed his absence from the Madrid Masters tournament – one of the three most prestigious clay court competitions on the circuit in the prelude to the French Open in Paris.

Djokovic, 36, skipped the Barcelona Open last week after taking part in the Monte Carlo Masters where he reached the semi-finals.