Novak Djokovic 'empty' as Rafael Nadal's coach weighs in on disappointing run

is notably absent from this week's Italian Open. The Serb has not skipped the tournament since making his debut in 2007, but he . Djokovic is on a three-match losing streak for the second time this year and has now suffered defeat in the opening round of four of his last five tournaments.

There have been plenty of theories for the 24-time Grand Slam champion's lack of form, and Rafael Nadal's long-time coach Carlos Moya has now suggested that Djokovic is feeling "empty". However, the former world No. 1 doesn't want to rule him out for the upcoming French Open.

It's been more than a month since Djokovic last won a tennis match, coming through his Miami Open semi-final. He suffered defeat in the final and has since faced back-to-back opening-round losses in Monte-Carlo and Madrid.

After a couple of weeks ago, Djokovic admitted he had to get used to his "new reality" of losing early at big tournaments.

But he won't be doing that in Rome, as he pulled out of the Italian Open and looks set to go into the French Open without any clay wins under his belt.

Djokovic himself has but Moya, a former champion in Paris, disagrees.

"He's a great in history, and greats should never be ruled out," Nadal's former coach told .

Although Moya believes Djokovic still has a shot at winning his 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open, he has his own theory about the world No. 6's disappointing run of form.

The Spaniard claimed Djokovic "feels a little empty" for two reasons - he came "full circle at the Olympic Games" last summer, clinching the one title that always evaded him - a gold medal - and he no longer has his two biggest rivals, Nadal and Roger Federer, on the tour.

Federer ended his career at the 2022 Laver Cup while Nadal hung up his racket at the Davis Cup Finals last November.

A 14-time French Open champion, Nadal will on day one of the tournament.

"I'm not going to talk much about this topic, but anyway, I think it's going to be something beautiful in Paris, something worthy of Rafa," Moya said of his countryman's upcoming ceremony.

Moya joined Nadal's coaching camp in 2016 and stayed with him until he ended his career last year. He was in the Spaniard's box for five of his French Open triumphs.