Novak Djokovic withdraws from the Italian Open in the midst of a three-match losing streak, casting doubt on his participation in next month's French Open.

Novak Djokovic was tennis’s immovable force–the man who turned Grand Slam draws into personal playgrounds and silenced stadiums with every improbable comeback.

Djokovic's ranking is an irrelevance to his wider tennis ambitions but now more than ever, he needs it to help him achieve them.