Djokovic the last of the “Big Three” to eschew Miami

It’s official now, although word had been circulating for weeks that Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic would not be playing the Miami Open.

On Friday, days before the event is to begin, he made it official on his social media.

Djokovic didn’t even use an injury as an excuse to beg off and join a large group of players who won’t be going to South Florida this year.

Dear fans, I’m very sorry to announce that this year I won’t travel to Miami to compete. I decided to use this precious time at home to stay with my family. With all restrictions, I need to find balance in my time on tour and at home. I look forward to coming back next year!— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) March 19, 2021

Roger Federer’s agent told the Associated Press nearly three weeks ago that his client would not go to Miami, saying he was opting to use the time for a training block after his brief return in the Middle East.

Rafael Nadal confirmed what most expected just three days ago.

Sad to announce that I won’t be playing in Miami, a city that I love. I need to fully recover and get ready for the clay court season in Europe. Special message to my fans in the US and in particular to the great Spanish speaking community FL who always give me a great support!💪🏻 — Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) March 16, 2021

A long list of Miami withdrawals on the men’s side

While Andy Murray will be playing, on a wild card, there are so many others who also have decided not to make the trip.

Here’s a list of those confirmed out so far

Pablo Andujar
Pablo Carreño Busta
Borna Coric
Pablo Cuevas (broken toe)
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Novak Djokovic
Kyle Edmund (ongoing, knee)
Roger Federer
Richard Gasquet (various injuries)
Filip Krajinovic
Nick Kyrgios
John Millman
Gaël Monfils
Corentin Moutet
Rafael Nadal
Guido Pella
Albert Ramos-Viñolas
Gilles Simon (ongoing ennui)
Dominic Thiem
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Stan Wawrinka

And that was just from the original entry deadline cutoff.

More withdrawals

In addition to those players, here are others who would have gotten in because of their withdrawals, but also pulled out.

Lucas Pouille
Egor Gerasimov
Marco Cecchinato
Juan Ignacio Londero
Norbert Gombos
Roberto Carballes Baena
Attila Balasz
Gianluca Mager
Andrej Martin
Dennis Novak
Philipp Kohlschrieiber (is he even still playing?)
Jaume Munar
Andreas Seppi
Yuichi Sugita
Kamil Majchrzak
Hugo Dellien
Grégoire Barrere

At the present time, the last player into the main draw is Ilya Ivashka, ranked No. 111 at the deadline.

Multiple factors involved

There may well be more to come. But it’s worth remembering that IMG owns half the Miami Open.

And so, in the interest of selling its very expensive ducats this year, its clients may well wait until as late as possible to announce.

Djokovic would fall into that category.

The women’s singles draw isn’t until Sunday; the men’s draw will be Monday.

As well, players must arrive at least three days before their scheduled first match, for COVID testing. Which means Friday for the qualifying players, and Saturday for the main draw players.

The prize money, notably, is down 60 per cent from a year ago despite the ATP’s announcement recently that the downgrade in prize money would be at least partially rectified.

It affects the lower-ranked players less. But the winner’s and finalist’s cuts are down nearly 80 per cent.

Djokovic would also fall into that category. Not that he couldn’t live just fine with a Miami Open champion’s cheque. But at the level it is this year, as the old saying goes, it’s not even worth getting out of bed for a fellow with his income.