Devastated Novak Djokovic was pondering his schedule as the beaten US Open semi-finalist and decided to skip Davis Cup play this weekend in India for Serbia after losing a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 to Japan’s Kei Nishikori.
But Djokovic decoded to give it a miss and head home to Monte Carlo where his wife Jelena is expecting the couple’s first child in the coming weeks. “I had to speak with my captain and tell him I’m not going to go to India,” he said.
“Of course I’m in touch with my wife. I am being part of her pregnancy, it’s normal. But that is indifferent for me in terms of preparing for the match and for the tournament. I had all my dedication, everything directed to this US Open. I tried to give my best and I did. Now my best today was not where I wanted it to be.”
Djokovic is due to juggle the impending birth as well as a tennis schedule which should see him heading to China in October for ATP events in Beijing and Shanghai.
“The season is not over yet. I felt like I could have gone at least a step further here, but it was disappointing today. It’s sport. I have to congratulate the better opponent and move on and try to finish off this year hopefully as close as I did last year.”
Novak Djokovic will not play Serbia’s Davis Cup tie against India, according to the Davis Cup captain.
Serbian captain Bogdan Obradovic said the No. 1 had decided against making the trip to Bangalore. “Novak Djokovic is definitely not coming to India. The biggest reason is fatigue,” he said.
“Novak had a very hard part of the season and he needs a break, a trip to India requires a huge effort.”
Djokovic would have had less than a week between reaching the semifinals of the US Open and playing the World Four playoff tie.
Obradovic cited the long distance between the two events as well as “the high humidity and high altitude” in Bangalore.
Djokovic appeared to be lacking energy during his semifinal against Kei Nishikori, though it was his Japanese opponent who had played two four-hour matches in the previous rounds.
During the tournament, Djokovic had said he might choose not to play the tie, instead spending time with wife Jelena Ristic, who is expecting their first child.
Djokovic is still expected to compete at the ATP events at Beijing and Shanghai.
Topics: 2014 US Open, Atp, Davis Cup, Jelena Ristic, Kei Nishikori, Novak Djokovic, Tennis
@DjokerNole IS SAID TO BE #DESPONDENT AFTER @usopen LOSS / DECIDES TO SKIP @DavisCup TO BE WITH HIS #WIFE.. http://t.co/ZJY0Tbv0NZ #tennis