Novak Djokovic’s ranking set to tumble after Miami withdrawal, spotlight shifts to comeback plan and next event

The Miami Open withdrawal is set to have a significant impact on Novak Djokovic's rankings.

Published on: Mar 18, 2026, 12:39:35 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Novak Djokovic withdrew from the Miami Open due to a right shoulder injury, pulling out of the second leg of the ‘Sunshine Double’ despite being a six-time champion at the tournament. The 24-time Grand Slam winner had recently reached the fourth round at Indian Wells, where he lost to Jack Draper.

Novak Djokovic sits up after falling to the court with exhaustion against Jack Draper in their fourth round match at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 11 (Getty Images via AFP)

The withdrawal is set to have a significant impact on his rankings. Djokovic is guaranteed to drop outside the top three and slip below Alexander Zverev to No. 4 in the world. There is also a possibility of a further slide depending on results at the Miami Open.

Indian Wells marked his return to the tour earlier this season, and despite the fourth-round exit, he has compiled a 7-2 win-loss record so far this year.

Where does Djokovic play next?

Djokovic is currently on the entry list for the Monte Carlo Masters, which traditionally marks the start of the clay-court season. However, his recent record at the tournament has been underwhelming, with just one semifinal appearance in the past few years.

In fact, the Serbian has reduced his clay-court workload in recent seasons, carefully managing his schedule with a clear focus on Grand Slams. That approach is expected to continue as he builds towards the French Open, where he will once again chase a record-extending 25th major title.

Djokovic, a three-time champion at Roland Garros, last won the title in 2023. He exited in the quarterfinals in 2024 and the semifinals in 2025, underlining a slight dip in dominance on the surface compared to his peak years.

Miami Open focus shifts

With Djokovic out, the spotlight in Miami will firmly shift to Jannik Sinner, who arrives in red-hot form after winning Indian Wells, and Carlos Alcaraz, a perennial title contender.

Daniil Medvedev will also be one to watch, especially after his strong run to the Indian Wells final, where he defeated Alcaraz en route.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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