Tennis has a way of keeping everyone on their toes, and with the US Open just around the corner, the sport’s unpredictability is already in full swing. While the event is yet to begin, several shocking incidents have already begun to unfold. In a surprising and rather bizarre turn of events, Novak Djokovic and Holger Rune found themselves at the center of a situation that left fans scratching their heads.

Rune and Djokovic were scheduled to hit the courts together for practice on Friday at around 1 PM. But a series of unexpected events took place on the courts. Nole continued to remain absent, as his team was seen carrying his bags out of the courts. While Rune stood stranded, Grigor Dimitrov was also seen waiting for his Serbian counterpart on the courts for around 15 minutes, but to no avail.

Rune was later seen giving autographs to his fans, signifying that the practice session had been called off.  While the reason for the incident is still unknown and no formal announcement has been made so far, it is likely that Nole’s injury menaces have returned to the picture. 

Ahead of his Flushing Meadows campaign, Djokovic initially attended practice sessions without wearing any knee brace. However, as he took to the Arthur Ashe Stadium to engage in a friendly match with Juan Martin Del Potro, the New York crowd witnessed him wearing a similar compression sleeve. Remember, the Serbian Maestro was seen limping during the Paris Olympics as well.

Playing against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals, Djokovic was spotted in pain and later revealed that he was scared ahead of his next match. Nole wouldn’t want another injury with the 25th Grand Slam title at stake. Earlier, he had to withdraw from the French Open despite making it to the quarterfinals, after he tore the medial meniscus in his right knee. 

The four-time US Open winner will be beginning his campaign to defend his title on Monday. He will face Radu Albot of Moldova where the Serb is a clear favorite. But as his injuries once again take center age, the discussion about his retirement after the US Open is making rounds in the tennis corridors.

Will Novak Djokovic retire if he wins the US Open title?

Novak Djokovic has often expressed his desire to go deep in his career and play for as long as possible. But the Serb’s latest injury troubles have left many wondering about his retirement, and the former pro-Chirs Evert is the latest to join the fray. Ahead of the Grand Slam, Evert engaged in a preview discussion with John McEnroe where she revealed that Djokovic might call it quits if he wins the US Open title.

Speaking to McEnroe, Evert said, “I think if he wins the 25th major, I would think he would leave the game. I mean, I don’t know, he would break that tie with Margaret Court. He’s won the Olympics. That was such a big goal for him, winning the Olympics.”

If Djokovic faces another injury scare ahead of the US Open, it will be interesting to see if he makes some tough decisions regarding his career, provided he clinches his 25th title.