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Novak Djokovic has been warned that it could become even more difficult to win another Grand Slam title if he doesn't take care of his ranking. The Serbian superstar dropped to No. 4 in the world after skipping the Miami Open, where he had finished runner-up in 2025. Djokovic has since withdrawn from the Monte Carlo Masters, but it is hoped he'll be back at the Madrid Open later this month.

And former British No. 1 Greg Rusedski - who has just started coaching ATP star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard - has explained how Djokovic's decision to play a limited schedule could wreck his chances of going deep at the Majors and lifting an elusive 25th Grand Slam trophy.

"I think either Madrid or Rome will be his first week and then he will get ready for Roland Garros," he said on the Off Court with Greg podcast. "It's not about ranking points. It's about where he's seeded. He does need points to be in the top four."

Alcaraz and Sinner are thousands of points clear of their rivals in the rankings, currently sitting at Nos. 1 and 2 respectively. And players ranked third and fourth won't have to face them until at least the semi-finals at any Grand Slam. If Djokovic drops below that, he could face them - and other top players - a few rounds earlier.

Rusedski added: "To win a Major these days, you've got to usually go through Alcaraz and Sinner. Then imagine if he drops out of the top four, he might have to play [Alexander] Zverev. So for him, the important thing is keeping that top four ranking to give himself a shot at Wimbledon."

It's not known when Djokovic will return to competition, but Madrid Open tournament director and former world No. 12 Feliciano Lopez believes the world No. 4 intends to compete in the Caja Magica later this month.

"He's keen to come to Madrid, that's what I've been told. Obviously, we know Djokovic's schedule lately is what it is. He has the ability to play very little and still be fighting for the big titles at almost 40 years old," Lopez told Radio Nacional Spain.

In 2025, Djokovic lost his opening matches in Monte Carlo and Madrid, and then pulled out of the Italian Open. He entered the ATP 250 event in Geneva the week before the French Open, and went on to lift the trophy. At the French Open, he beat Zverev in the quarters before losing to Sinner in the semi-finals.

Following his Monte Carlo Masters withdrawal, Djokovic can only be overtaken in the rankings this coming week if Felix Auger-Aliassime wins the title, otherwise he will remain at No. 4.

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