The Italian 2025 Open has officially started, with qualifying matches currently underway and the main draw to start on May 6. The ATP and WTA prints were published on May 5, and this year’s edition promises a lot of convincing action and script.
One of the biggest discussion points is the return of the Triple Champion of the Grand Slam, the world’s n ° 1, and the favorite of the house Jannik Sinner. Its three -month doping ban ended only two days ago, and the prestigious Masters 1000 tournament in Rome marks its first event on tour.
While the event has an stacked field of star power, it also sees the absence of several leading and legendary names this year. Two of the most notable omissions are Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams.
On this note, here is an overview of five tennis players who will not participate in the Italian Open 2025:
5 missing tennis players from the Italian Open 2025
# 5 Gael Monfils
Gael Monfils was one of the first to withdraw from Italian open, and unlike his wife, Elina Svitolina, he did not spend the best time professionally. The 2025 season has not done particularly well for him so far, the only highlight being his title victory at the Classic Asb in January.
The Monfils announced its withdrawal only a few days after giving a Walkover to Andrey Rublev to the recently concluded Madrid Open, who sent the reigning champion directly to the third round. The Walkover came while the Frenchman was touched by a virus and was physically bad, probably the same reason he jumps Rome when he focuses on his recovery.
# 4 Caroline Wozniacki
Caroline Wozniacki has not been very active in the WTA tour since her retirement in 2023, and this year was not different. Her last appearance occurred at US Open 2024, where she lost to Beatriz Haddad Maia in the fourth round.
Since then, Wozniacki has remained out of the field, with rumors of his retirement that made the headlines. However, this is not the case. The reason for her prolonged absence of the tour is that she and her ex-Mari Star of the NBA, David Lee, await their third child.
The Dane, who already has a daughter named Olivia and a son named James, announced her pregnancy in April on Instagram with the following legend:
“Polly to the defense of areas. Our family could not be more excited to welcome Baby # 3 soon. ”
# 3 Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios is another player who will be a non-presentation at the Italian Open this year. This does not surprise as much surprise as to fight against multiple injury problems in recent years, preventing him from maintaining a coherent race during the tour.
Kyrgios, whose last appearance of the tournament came to the Miami Open in March of this year, the Masters of Rome will be missing for the sixth consecutive year. He announced on Instagram a month ago that he was aimed at returning to the French Open, which begins on May 25.
“I just set to train and prepare myself in Paris in about three weeks. I just want to say that I appreciate all the birthday messages … It was almost impossible to come back to each of you, but I really appreciate love, the support of all my fans, my family and my friends. I really felt the 30th anniversary, the big zero.
The Australian also mentioned several times in the past that he is not playing professional tennis beyond 30 years.
# 2 Venus Williams
Like Caroline Wozniacki, Venus Williams has also been far from the tour for quite a long time. While reports initially said that she had accepted a joker to play Indian Wells this year, Williams then refuted the news herself. However, it was seen to practice during the Miami Open, even if it did not end up competition.
Today at 45, this year could have been his last opportunity to appear at the Italian Open, given his age. A player in her stature would have almost certainly received a generational if she had asked one, but she chose not to do it.
Instead, the American has decided to explore a new path – wrapping a star star TNT sports broadcast team at Roland Garros this year, alongside legends like Andre Agassi, John McENROE, Chris Evert, Sloane Stephens and others.
# 1 Novak Djokovic
With this, we come to the biggest name of our list of players who are missing the Italian open 2025: Novak Djokovic. The Serbian legend, who is almost 38 years old, has sparked several speculation with her recent remarks, suggesting that it could very well be his last year as a professional tennis player.
His absence from the tournament was officially confirmed by the organizers themselves via an article on Twitter, which is read as follows:
“Novak Djokovic announced that he would not participate in # IBI25. See you next year.”
Although Djokovic has not published any specific declaration concerning its decision to withdraw, it is likely that the French Open played a role in IT. With a record title of the 25th Grand Chelem in sight in Roland Garros, the Serb may have chosen to take this time of leave to train and prepare more effectively for the adult of Claycourt.
Venus Williams and Father Richard remember a match that the 7 times Grand Colem Champion “should have won”
Edited by Pritha Ghosh
