Novak Djokovic Sparks Injury Concerns Ahead of US Open 2019

World No.1, Novak Djokovic defeated Lucas Pouille in straight sets 7-6, 6-1 to reach the semifinals of the Western and Southern Open 2019 on Friday. He will face the Rogers Cup 2019 runners-up, Daniil Medvedev for a place in the finals in Cincinnati.

During the second set against Pouille, the Serbian called a trainer onto the court and had his elbow checked as felt some pain or “tightness” in his right elbow.

Talking about his physical conditions in an on-court interview, Djokovic revealed that he was feeling some tightness in his elbow while serving. He said, “I had some tightness, especially on my serve.”

The 32-year-old, however, managed to win the match but he was unsure if the pain would continue to trouble him as the pain was still there. He continued, “I managed to finish the match which is great but the pain is there so hopefully I’ll have no pain tomorrow.”

The elbow injury has troubled Novak Djokovic in the past. The 16-time Grand Slam champion had undergone an elbow surgery after the 2017 Wimbledon Championships in order to cure the injury that was bothering him from the past two years. The world No.1 did not pick up a racket for nearly 5 months and skipped the remaining 2017 season to recover from his injury.

He came back on the tour in January 2018 but he underwent surgery on his elbow in late January. Novak Djokovic then returned on the tennis court in March 2018. Djokovic also slipped down to the world No.12 in the ATP rankings following his enforced break due to the elbow injury.

The injury also forced Novak Djokovic to revamp his service motion as prevention to put any further pressure on his elbow. An injury in his playing arm meant that he had to adjust his game and rework it in many ways. The Serb made sure that he didn’t make it any worse for his elbow.