Nadal, Djokovic & Murray a doubt for Australian Open
World of Sport Reporter: @worldofsport
Former world number one Novak Djokovic has postponed his long-awaited comeback because of an elbow injury, and his participation in the first Grand Slam of 2018 – the Australian Open – is now in doubt.
The 12-time Grand Slam winner hasn’t played since last July at Wimbledon, and was hoping to make his comeback at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
A dejected Djokovic told reporters that this newest setback might have an effect on the start of the new season for the former World Number One.
Djokovic's participation at the first Grand Slam of the year is now in doubt, and he told reporters at a press conference, "Unfortunately, in the past few days I started to feel pain in the elbow and after several tests, my medical team has advised me not to risk anything, to withdraw from the tournament and to immediately continue with the therapies. I am very sad because I was eager to return to playing official matches."
British number one Andy Murray, who has also been hampered by injury in recent months, will replace the Serb in Abu Dhabi as he aims to regain full fitness ahead of the season’s first Grand Slam.
The 30-year-old Scot, who like Djokovic hasn’t played a competitive match since Wimbledon, is hoping to play at Brisbane next week in preparation for the Australian Open later in the month.
Murray had travelled to Abu Dhabi for more practice, but will now play Spanish world number 20 Roberto Bautista Agut, who was set to play Djokovic, in the one-set match at the exhibition tournament.
The news of Djokovic's withdrawal from this week's event follows that of world number one Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard is suffering from an ongoing knee injury that has blighted his career and has definitely pulled out of Brisbane, but he has stated that he’s hopeful of playing the Australian Open.
With Nadal, Djokovic, and possibly Murray missing form the Australian Open, it will take a lot of limelight away from the tournament. Three of the biggest stars missing would be a shame for tennis fans, but maybe not such a shame for Roger Federer.
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What do you buy the golfer who has everything? A short game!
It will be very interesting to see in what shape will be the top players when they return on the court. Personally I hope that we will see Grigor Dimitrov to be competitive with the other top players.