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The tournament is scheduled to take place between May 7 and 18, though it will be without the 24-time grand slam winner, who only reached the round of 32 there in 2024.

Djokovic's decision comes just three days after his shock defeat to world number 44 Matteo Arnaldi in the second round of the Madrid Open.

That defeat was Djokovic's third on the spin, having also lost to Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final and Alejandro Tabilo in the first round of the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Despite his recent poor form, the 37 year-old has won six titles in Rome and reached 12 finals – a joint-record alongside Rafael Nadal.

He has appeared at every Rome Masters event since 2007 and his decision not to play at the clay event comes with Roland Garros under a month away.

With his runs to the semi-finals of the Miami Open and Australian Open - having to retire through injury at the latter - his deepest at any tournament this season, 2025 has been a challenging year for the Serbian.