Six-time champion Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from this year's Italian Open, in a blow to his French Open preparations. Djokovic, who has been chasing a 100th tour-level title, will miss the Masters 1000 event in Rome for the first time since making his first appearance in 2007.

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Italian Open in the middle of a three-match losing streak. The move to pull out of the clay court tournament sparked concern about whether the 24-time Grand Slam winner will compete in the storied French Open,

No. 5-ranked Novak Djokovic, in the midst of a three-match losing streak, has pulled out of the Italian Open putting in question whether he'll be able to play at the French Open.