Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Madrid Open, the tournament announced on Wednesday. A message from the tournament's official twitter account read: "Novak Djokovic will not be playing in the Mutua Madrid Open. 'Sorry that I won't be able to travel to Madrid this year and meet all my fans", said Djokovic. 

'It's been two years already, quite a long time. Hope to see you all next year!'". Djokovic has only played four tournaments this year, having decided to take a break following his 18th grand slam success at the Australian Open in February. The world number one suffered a surprise defeat to world number 28 Aslan Karatsev in the semi-finals of the Serbia Open on Saturday, after also losing to Dan Evans, ranked 33rd, earlier this month in Monte Carlo.