Advertisement

Novak Djokovic will not play for rest of 2017 season due to elbow injury

Djokovic retired midway through his Wimbledon quarter-final vs Tomas Berdych: Getty Images
Djokovic retired midway through his Wimbledon quarter-final vs Tomas Berdych: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic has confirmed that he will not play for the rest of the 2017 season because of an elbow injury.

The world No.4 told reported in Belgrade on Wednesday that a right elbow problem means he will sit out the remainder of the 2017 ATP calendar, missing the US Open.

The Serbian star was forced to retire midway through his Wimbledon quarter-final with Tomas Berdych earlier in July because of the problem.

Djokovic said: "All the doctors I’ve consulted, and all the specialists I have visited, in Serbia and all over the world, have agreed that this injury requires rest.

"A prolonged break from the sport is inevitable. I’ll do whatever it takes to recover. I will use the upcoming period to strengthen my body and also to improve certain tennis elements that I have not been able to work on over the past years, due to a demanding schedule.

"Five months may seem long from this point, but I’m sure they will pass quickly because there is so much I want to do.

"Another important moment is coming, we will become parents for a second time. My wife Jelena and I are expecting our second child, and we are preparing to welcome a new family member.

"These are things that fill me with greatest happiness and delight. I’m confident I will be ready for start of the new season."

Djokovic, who has won 12 Grand Slam titles, is targeting a return at the beginning of the next season, with a warm-up event ahead of the 2018 Australian Open earmarked.

"It is the most important for me to recover, to be able to play injury free for as long as possible, to compete in the sport that has given me so much, the sport I love," he added.

"Of course I want to return to the winning form, to win again, to win the trophies. But now it is not the time to talk about it. At this point, I’m focusing on recovery."