For the second year in a row, Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Madrid Open.

In 2014 it was an arm injury that curtailed the Serb's involvement, but this time it is a calculated move as he prepares for the Rome Masters and the French Open.

Djokovic - whose withdrawal was confirmed by tournament organisers on the Madrid Open website - would have been favourite to win the event, having already triumphed at the Australian Open and in Masters tournaments in Miami, Indian Wells and Monte Carlo this year.

The world number one needs the Roland Garros title to seal a career grand slam, having lost in last year's final to the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal.

In Djokovic's absence, Roger Federer will be the number one seed at the tournament, which starts on Monday, while Nadal is the defending champion.