Djokovic to skip Davis Cup this week

NOVI SAD, Serbia, March 2 (UPI) -- Serbia's Novak Djokovic, undefeated this year, said Wednesday he will pass on this weekend's first-round Davis Cup series against India.

Djokovic, No. 3 in the world rankings, said he was sitting out the best-of-five series in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Djokovic has appeared in two tournaments this year, winning the Australian Open and the Dubai Duty Free Championships, but said he needed time to prepare for one ATP Masters series event that starts next week in Indian Wells, Calif., and another in Miami, which is set for March 23-April 3.

"I feel physically well, fit, and mentally motivated to do even more coming up to Indian Wells and Miami where I haven't done well in the last years," Djokovic wrote on his personal Web site. "So I really want to work hard and get some good results in the U.S."

Djokovic was 3-0 in Davis Cup singles play last year, including winning two finals when Serbia claimed its first Davis Cup title with a victory over France. Djokovic is 19-6 overall in Davis Cup singles matches.

The Serbs are expected to use Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarevic, No. 18 and 45, respectively, in the world rankings, in their singles matches against India.