25 Jul 2017

Djokovic set to miss US Open

6:55 am on 25 July 2017

Reports in Serbia say former world tennis number one Novak Djokovic's elbow injury is likely to force him to miss the US Open.

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Djokovic has reportedly been told that he'll need to rest for six to 12 weeks, effectively ruling him out for the rest of the ATP Tour season.

Djokovic last appeared on court in a Wimbedon quarter-final, where he was unable to continue against Tomas Berdych.

Fourth-ranked Djokovic is due to address his situation at a Belgrade media conference this week.

The US Open starts at the end of the month.

Serbian doctor Zdenko Milinkovic told the newspaper Sportski Zurnal "symptoms have calmed down, he was with a specialist in Toronto for additional tests."

"He also consulted our experts. Now it's important to look at the different types of procedures that can affect recovery."

The paper reports that the injury worsened the more Djokovic played. The week before the grand slam he won a grass title at Eastbourne.

"He has a bruised bone due to excessive playing. He did not have enough of a pause, Novak clenched his teeth and continued playing despite a serious injury. It was always a big concern for me as his friend," Milinkovic added.