Novak Djokovic to make rare appearance at Madrid Open

This has tended to be the major clay court event Djokovic has opted against playing in as he trains his focus on the French Open at Roland Garros and after his poor display in Monte Carlo, time away from the ATP Tour must have been a consideration for the 24-time Grand Slam king.

Yet Djokovic appears to have changed his stance on where tennis fits into his life in recent months and after suggesting for most of last year that he would rather spend time with his young family than play in ATP Tour events, he now appears to be keen to play in as many tournaments as possible.

Images have emerged of Djokovic training with South Africa's Lloyd Harris at Puente Romano Tennis Club, in what appears to be his final preparations ahead of a trip to Madrid.

It is unclear whether Djokovic's wife and children Stefan and Tara will be joining him in Madrid, with the family appearing to take more of a backseat role in 2025.

Djokovic's family were travelling with him for most of last season and when he won the Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games last August, the images of him embracing his children were among the most iconic of the tennis year.

Now Djokovic appears to have changed his approach and is keen to give all he can to claiming what would be a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

He made it clear that his only focus for the European clay court season was on Roland Garros after his loss against Tabilo, but it seems he does feel the need to include Madrid as a stop off on his path to the second Grand Slam of 2025.

Aside from the clay court practice, the other big appeal for Djokovic to play in Madrid is the chance to add fresh ranking points to his tally and climb into the top four of the ATP Rankings ahead of the French Open.

That would ensure he avoids a clash with world No 1 Jannik Sinner and defending French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz until semi-finals at Roland Garros.

Taylor Fritz is currently in No 4 position on the ATP Rankings, but he is defending 400 points in Madrid after his impressive run to the last four a year ago, while all Djokovic's points in Madrid will be new to his record.

So an early exit for Fritz and a deep run for Djokovic could see the crucial No 4 rankings spot change hands.

According to former world No 1 Andy Roddick, Djokovic's defeat against Tabilo was not significant as he only played in Monte Carlo because he lives in the Principality.

Speaking on Tennis Channel, Roddick insisted the tennis world should not read too much into Djokovic's latest defeat.

"I don't think that the base level for Novak for a successful year is two majors anymore," stated Roddick.

"I think the question is, 'can I build up my season? Can I peak for the majors, right? Can I be as good once as I ever was?' Right? I think that matters a little bit more.

"I don't know if we would have seen Novak here in this tournament [Monte Carlo], or for the last couple of years if he didn't live up the street, right? I think this is almost paid practice for him.

"He's going to reset. Next Monday, he's still going to be in Monte Carlo training, to get ready for the clay-court season, so I don't put a ton of stock in this.

"Maybe there's a little bit of a matchup issue, but if Novak gets a good run of three or four weeks into the French Open, even having lost to Tabilo twice, I know who I'd be taking in this matchup three out of five sets."

Djokovic has only played the Madrid Open once over the last five years, but the expectation is he will be in the draw when it is made next week. 

READ MORE: Jannik Sinner will turn 'unpleasant' doping ban into 'something positive'