Reigning champion Novak Djokovic has shed light on an ongoing injury issue after receiving treatment throughout his second round match at the US Open.
The top seed required a trio of medical timeouts during his 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-1, win over Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Londero. Djokovic is currently struggling with a shoulder injury that affects his serving. Nevertheless, the Serbian still managed to win 64% of his service points against Londero. In total he broke his opponent nine times and hit 35 winners.
“I had to take time to address the injury that I have. It has caused hindrance to my game for sure tonight, especially with the serve and backhand.” Djokovic explained.
“It was not easy to play with this kind of sensation, to be honest. I did not experience that too many times in my career.’
“I was also lucky to find my way back in the second set and to win in three straight sets. I had a medical timeout. At changeovers, I tried to use within the rules as much as I can physiotherapy and medical help. That has definitely helped me stay in the match.” He added.
It is the second time Djokovic has experienced an injury scare during a match within the past month. At the Cincinnati Masters he said he experienced some ‘tightness’ in his right elbow during his quarter-final match with Lucas Pouille.
Describing his latest issue as ‘rough and unpredictable’ Djokovic will undergo consultations with medical experts. Although there is no suggestion at present that the problem is severe enough to force him out of the tournament. Djokovic has won four out of the past five grand slams. During that period that only player to defeat him was Dominic Thiem at the French Open.
“It is new in a sense that I’ve never had that particular issue in my career. It’s not new in a sense that it has bothered me now for almost couple weeks.” He explained about his shoulder issue.
“It has been there. I’ve been experiencing some days of higher intensity of pain, some days less. It has been really fluctuating a lot, going up and down.’
“On the court, actually how I felt, was quite rough and unpredictable. But you have to deal with this particular situation the way it is.”
Now with a day off to rest his shoulder, Djokovic will play either Dusan Lajovic or Denis Kudla in the third round. That match has been postponed until Thursday due to poor weather.
