Novak Djokovic has confirmed he will play fewer ATP 1000 events as he edges towards the end of his career, but he appears to be preparing to hit the ground running at the start of the European clay court season.

The world No 1 has played just two matches since his defeat in the Australian Open semi-finals against Jannik Sinner, with his loss against world No 123 Luca Nardi in the third round of the Indian Wells Masters one of the biggest upsets he has suffered in his entire career.

That performance suggested Djokovic was lacking match practice after taking an extended break after he relinquished his Australian Open crown in Melbourne, but he made it clear that his tennis schedule would be greatly reduced as he pulled out of the Miami Open a few days later.

“At this stage of my career, I’m balancing my private and professional schedule. I’m sorry that I won’t experience some of the best and most passionate fans in the world,” said Djokovic as he confirmed he would not be making the trip to Miami.

The reasons he gave sparked some suggestions that he has lost some of the fire that has driven him to relentless success over the course of his record-breaking career. 

Former world No 4 Henman then claimed that the 24-time Grand Slam champion not citing a physical reason for his withdrawal will lead to more speculation.

“It’s quite revealing in some respects because it could’ve been very easy to say, ‘my elbow’s a bit sore, heavy balls in the desert, and I’m gonna take time off’,” the six-time Grand Slam semi-finalist assessed.

“And no one would’ve said anything, but when you sort of elaborate down those avenues, I think it probably does lead a little bit more to speculation when you’re talking about your professional and personal life.

“So, fingers crossed he can sort out whatever the issues are and we can see him back on court in the not too distant future.”

Now it looks like Djokovic is preparing to start his preparations for the French Open by playing in the first ATP 1000 clay court event in Monte Carlo next month.

Djokovic, who is a resident in Monte Carlo, is a two-time champion in a tournament played in one of the most picturesque settings on the French Riviera.

Aside from his two wins in Monte Carlo, Djokovic has a relatively poor record at this tournament by his standards, as he has not got past the quarter-finals since he last lifted the trophy in 2015.

If recent history is a gauge, Djokovic is unlikely to play at the Madrid Masters event, but he is likely to compete at the Rome Masters in what would be his final tournament before the defend of his French Open crown.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal is also on the entry list in Monte Carlo, as he looks to bounce back from the back injury that ruled him out of playing at Indian Wells and Miami.

Nadal is an 11-time champion in Monte Carlo and it will be fascinating to see how the ‘King of Clay’ is shaping up ahead of what may be his final attempt at lifting a 15th French Open title this summer.

World No 2 Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner, world No 4 Daniil Medvedev and last year’s Monte Carlo winner Andrey Rublev are also on the entry list for an event that gets underway on April 7.