Novak Djokovic Concerningly Withdraws From Tennis Tournament Ahead of French Open

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Italian Open in the middle of a three-match losing streak.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, set to take place just two weeks after the Italian Open concludes.

More news: American Tennis Star Dedicates First Career Grand Slam Win to Hometown Ravaged by LA Wildfires

Djokovich first played in the Rome-based tournament in 2007 and has yet to miss a match. He has the most career matches played at the Italian Open and the second-most titles — six — right behind Rafael Nadal and his 10.

Djokovic's three consecutive defeats came in the Miami Open, the Monte-Carlo Masters, and most recently, losing in the Madrid Open on Saturday.

The 37-year-old spoke on the defeat in Monte-Carlo and his disappointment in his performance.

"Just horrible. Horrible feeling to play this way. Just sorry for all the people who had to witness this," said Djokovic. "I don't know. I don't have it. I have it and I don't have it. I don't really care."

As for his goals for the rest of the clay court season, the tennis legend spoke succinctly.

"Roland Garros," he said. "That's it."

After his most recent loss in Madrid, the Serbian admitted in a press conference that his "new reality" is to think less about how far he'll go in a tournament, and more on just winning the current match.

"It's a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis, so it's kind of a challenge for me mentally to really face these kinds of sensations on the court, going out early now regularly in the tournament."

The storied French Open tournament, which begins three days after Djokovic's 38th birthday, will mark so much more than a hopeful return to the usual dominance the tennis world is used to seeing, but could be a chance at extending a mark that the superstar already has a historic lead in.

Winning the French Open would be the 25th Grand Slam in Djokovic's illustrious career, with the No. 2 spot belonging to Nadal's 22.

Djokovic is also looking for his 100th career title, which he is currently No. 3 all time behind Roger Federer's 103 and Jimmy Connors' 109.

More news: Roger Federer Pens Touching Message to Rafael Nadal Prior to Final Tournament

For more tennis news, visit Newsweek Sports.