Djokovic’s Injury Could Be Serious

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 9th April 2013

Djokovic’s Injury Could Be Serious

epa03653330 Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return against Sam Querrey of the US during the 2013 Davis Cup World Group quarter final at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho, USA, 07 April 2013. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Novak Djokovic is reportedly facing up to a month on the injured list after heroically playing on with a badly twisted ankle to clinch Serbia victory in last weekend’s Davis Cup World Group quarterfinal against the United States in Boise, Idaho.

The Serbian media are quoting Dr. Momcilo Moma Jakovljevic who maintains the world no.1 suffered a traumatic sprain to the right ankle and recovery could take between 10 and 30 days.

So it seems certain that Djokovic will not be able to contest the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters that begins on Sunday, April 14. The Serb must also be rated doubtful for the next two Masters 1000 series events, the Mutua Madrid Open, beginning May 5 and Rome’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia starting a week later.

However reports that Djokovic, winner of six Grand Slam titles but still looking for victory at the French Open could also be doubtful for Roland Garros, starting May 26, seem premature.

Djokovic flew back to his Monte Carlo base yesterday by private jet with a refueling stop in New York and immediately underwent an MRI scan to determine the extent of the injury. It is understood that Dr. Jakovljevic made his comments before the results of the scan were revealed.

Before leaving Boise, Djokovic said: “I was planning to play Monte‑Carlo. I live there and train there, so it feels like a home tournament to me. I love playing there, so I’m going to do everything in my power to recover for that tournament.

“How realistic it is, to be honest, I don’t know. It’s still too early.”

Djokovic is boosted by the fact his physiotherapist Miljan Amanovic is an expert on the rehabilitation on ankle injuries after several years spent working with basketball players.

“He has a lot of experience with this particular injury,” said Djokovic. “He knows how to do the recovery and what kind of program to do. A lot of icing, and of course we can’t really be sure what we have to do before we determine 100%, diagnose what it is.

“It’s swollen, but an MRI is the only 100%, way to find out the nature of the injury. After that, we’ll see what’s next.”