Novak Djokovic could miss the U.S. Open with an elbow injury, according to a published report on Monday.
Djokovic retired in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon earlier this month with the elbow injury that has impacted his play for more than a year. Serbian newspaper Sportski Zurnal quoted a doctor who has examined who said the world’s fourth-ranked men’s tennis player would have to rest between six and 12 weeks.
Djokovic is dealing with a bone bruise due to “excessive playing,” according to the report. Djokovic has seen multiple specialists, Tennis.com reported.
"It's not a shoulder, it's an elbow that keeps bothering me for over a year and a half," Djokovic said after withdrawing from Wimbledon during a match against Tomas Berdych on July 12. "It's unfortunate I had to finish a Grand Slam like this. I tried from yesterday. I was able to play for 30 minutes with some pain that was bearable, but all the treatment and medicine couldn't help.
"The serve and forehand is where it hurt. I did everything I possibly could to make me fit. For an athlete, there's no way out if you don't feel fit."
Djokovic won the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 28, twice (2011 and 2015) as a singles player.
