The 2025 Italian Open in Rome starts on Tuesday. It is the final 1000-level tournament on clay this season, and an important event in preparation for the French Open. Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner’s first appearance back after completing his three-month suspension from the World Anti-Doping Agency is the most significant story surrounding the event. The ATP world No. 1’s hopes of succeeding on home soil have been helped by four men’s players withdrawing from the Italian Open. There has also been one WTA withdrawal.
Five Players Withdraw From Italian Open
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Novak Djokovic’s decision to withdraw from the Italian Open generated the most attention. The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost his opening two matches of the clay court season at the Monte Carlo Masters and Madrid Open. In his short statement about the matter, Djokovic did not give a specific reason for the move. He does not seem to have a physical issue and probably decided to take an extended period off before the French Open in a few weeks.
Barbora Krejcikova was the sole WTA player to withdraw from the Italian Open. Last year’s Wimbledon winner has not played a match this season because of a back injury. Her last appearance was at the 2024 WTA Finals, and it is uncertain when the Czech will return to the WTA Tour.
Gael Monfils was the second ATP star to withdraw from the Italian Open main draw entry list. The Frenchman withdrew before his second-round contest against Andrey Rublev due to illness. Although unconfirmed, that is the most likely explanation for his decision not to compete in Italy’s capital city.
David Goffin was another player to withdraw from the tournament in Rome. The former ATP Finals runner-up retired in the third set of his match at the Madrid Open against Alexandre Muller. Goffin partially tore his plantar fascia, an injury that could also rule him out of the French Open. Shang Junheng, who has been missing since retiring from the Australian Open second round with a foot injury, was the other man confirmed not to appear in Italy.
Who Replaces Those Players on the Entry List?
Fabian Marozsan has taken Djokovic’s place at the Italian Open. The Hungarian’s powerful game is very dangerous when it clicks, especially on clay. But he sometimes finds it challenging to find his range consistently. Caroline Dolehide, who lost to Liudmila Samsonova in the round of 64 at the Madrid Open, replaced Krejcikova on the entry list in Rome. Although she usually plays her best tennis on hard courts, Dolehide’s massive forehand can do damage on any surface.
Rinky Hijikata received an opportunity because Monfils elected to withdraw from the Italian Open. The Australian qualified for the Madrid Open main draw, but fell in the opening round to the huge-serving Reilly Opelka. Aleksandar Vukic and Gabriel Diallo were the other two players to receive a place on the entry list for the 1000-level tournament. Diallo had a superb run to the Madrid Open quarterfinal, including a win against Grigor Dimitrov in the round of 16.
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