Djokovic ‘unsure’ about US Open health after Olympics nightmare

Issued on: 07/31/2021 – 12:44 PMChanged: 07/31/2021 – 12:42 PM

Tokyo (AFP)

World number one Novak Djokovic said he was “not sure” about his fitness for the US Open after retiring from the mixed doubles bronze match at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday with a shoulder injury.

The 34-year-old Serb could be the first man to complete a calendar grand slam since Rod Laver in 1969 when the US Open kicks off on August 30th.

The withdrawal in Tokyo came after the 20-time major champion lost his nerve on his way to a surprising 6: 4, 6: 7 (6: 8), 6: 3 defeat against Pablo Carreno Busta in the Olympic bronze medal had .

He admitted his efforts have taken their toll in Japan, but he still hopes to be fit enough to challenge in Flushing Meadows.

“Hopefully the physical consequences won’t be a problem for me at the US Open, but I’m not sure about that at the moment,” said Djokovic.

“But I don’t regret that I gave it my all because at the end of the day, when you play for your country, you have to.”

The International Tennis Federation said Djokovic resigned with a “left shoulder injury”.

“Ashleigh Barty and John Peers get a walk-through against Djokovic and Nina Stojanovic and win the bronze medal for Australia,” added the ITF.

Djokovic had two gold medals in mind as he played in the singles and mixed doubles semi-finals on Friday – but less than 24 hours after his gold hopes ran out – he was preparing to leave Ariake Tennis Park without a medal for color .

He lost a grueling game to Carreno Busta that lasted two hours and 47 minutes in stifling heat, despite saving five match points.

The best result of the Serbian sports icon at the Olympic Games is still his bronze medal in Beijing in 2008.

“I just didn’t deliver yesterday and today,” said Djokovic, whose single defeat against Alexander Zverev ended his Golden Grand Slam offer.

“The level of tennis has fallen, also due to exhaustion, mentally and physically.”

His next chance at an Olympic title will be in Paris in three years when he turns 37.

“I know that I will recover. I will try to go to the Olympics in Paris and fight for my country to win medals,” said Djokovic.

“I’m sorry that I disappointed a lot of sports fans in my country. But this is sport, I gave whatever I had in my tank, which wasn’t that much. I left it on the pitch.”

– ‘Sorry’ for smashing clubs –

On Saturday, Djokovic recalled his notorious failure against Carreno Busta at the US Open last year when he accidentally hit a ball on a linesman.

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This time he tossed his bat high into the empty stands when he saw a breakpoint come and go in the opening game of the third set, and continued to look angry by destroying another bat by smacking it against the net post.

He received a warning from the referee after this second incident, but not after the first.

“It was an emotional outburst and it happened,” said Djokovic. “You’re tense on the pitch, in the heat of the moment.

“It’s not the first time, and it’s probably not the last time. It’s not nice, of course, but it must be part of who I am.

“I don’t like doing these things. I’m sorry for sending this type of message, but we’re all human and sometimes it’s hard to control.”

© 2021 AFP