Novak Djokovic’s name appears on the entry list for the Miami Open next month, but there’s uncertainty surrounding his participation in Florida. At 36 years old, Djokovic has announced his intention to play a reduced schedule to ensure he is in peak condition for the four Grand Slam tournaments each year.

Djokovic currently holds the record for most wins in ATP 1000 events, which are considered the second-tier events in tennis, and it seems unlikely that his record will be surpassed anytime soon. Additionally, he maintains a significant lead in weeks spent as the world No. 1 in the ATP rankings, with over 100 weeks more than his closest competitor, Roger Federer.

Given his clear focus on prioritizing Grand Slam events, it may influence his decision on whether to participate in the Miami Open or to take a break after Indian Wells. Respected tennis commentator Nick Lester has suggested that Djokovic may opt to skip the Miami Open and potentially sit out the Monte Carlo Masters on clay in April as he manages his workload leading up to the French Open. Djokovic himself has confirmed that he does not anticipate playing a full schedule in the remaining years of his career.

“When you’re striving for top rankings, you typically need to participate throughout the entire season, but now the focus is on the Grand Slams,” stated Djokovic.

“My primary motivation remains my love for the game. I genuinely enjoy competing, plain and simple.

“Additionally, I always set goals for myself, such as winning another Grand Slam, reclaiming the No. 1 spot, and finishing the year as the top-ranked player. These are the major objectives.

“Moreover, we have the Olympic Games this year, and I’m eager to perform well and represent my country. The Davis Cup still serves as a great source of inspiration for me.

“I still feel youthful in my body, and it’s serving me well. Winning three out of four Grand Slams speaks volumes. There are differing views among tennis players regarding when is the best time to retire. Some believe it’s ideal to leave the sport when you’re at the peak, while others think it’s when you realize you can no longer win the major tournaments and are being defeated by younger players. I lean more towards the latter.”

Former British No. 1 Laura Robson suggested that Djokovic’s decision to participate in Indian Wells and Miami indicates his strong passion for the game, which could spell trouble for his competitors.

“There has been an exaggerated reaction to Djokovic’s single defeat,” Robson stated in an exclusive interview with Tennis365 at the launch event for the new Sky Sports Tennis channel.