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Monte Carlo - World number two Novak Djokovic Friday pulled the plug on his start to the clay season, withdrawing from the Monte Carlo Masters with a knee injury.
The surging Serb has not lost a match this year and is fresh from his second straight finals triumph over Rafael Nadal in Miami at the weekend.
Nadal will be bidding for an unprecedented seventh title in the principality when play begins Sunday, while Roger Federer, a three- time finalist, will take the second seeding ahead of wild card Andy Murray.
"It's a tough blow and sad news not only for the tournament and my fans but also for myself," Djokovic said in a statement, releasing no other details on his condition.
Djokovic lost his last match in late November to Federer at the season-ending championships in London. Since then, he has won two in Davis Cup and all 24 he has played in 2011.
Djokovic returned to his base in Monaco earlier this week after his successful American hardcourt run in March, in which he beat Nadal for the Masters trophies in Indian Wells and Miami.
He has been resting this week and pondering if he would be fit to play the opening leg of the pre-French Open season.
