TENNIS NEWS – NOVAK DJOKOVIC WITHDRAWS FROM BEIJING, AND THE 2016 U.S. OPEN CHAMPION STAN WAWRINKA PULLS OUT OF TOKYO EVENT

Written by: Staff on 29th September 2016

TENNIS NEWS - NOVAK DJOKOVIC WITHDRAWS FROM BEIJING, AND THE 2016 U.S. OPEN CHAMPION STAN WAWRINKA PULLS OUT OF TOKYO EVENT

epa05535566 Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return to Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during the men's final on the final day of the US Open Tennis Championships at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 11 September 2016. The US Open runs through September 11. EPA/DANIEL MURPHY |

By Ricky Dimon

Novak Djokovic withdrew from the upcoming China Open earlier this week, citing an elbow injury. The top-ranked Serb has been dealing with arm issues dating back to a first-round loss to Juan Martin Del Potro at the Rio Olympics. He looked less than 100 percent at times during the U.S. Open but managed to reach the final before falling to Stan Wawrinka in four sets.

Djokovic has won four consecutive titles in Beijing–and that number would likely be seven aside from the fact that he did not play the event in 2011. He is a perfect 29-0 lifetime in Beijing.

“I am extremely disappointed not to be able to compete at the China Open this year,” said the reigning Australian Open and French Open champion. “I’m still recovering from my elbow injury and have been advised not to play until my condition improves. I will continue with my rehabilitation and hope to be able to return to the ATP Tour as soon as possible.”

Djokovic will reportedly hold a press conference on Friday, at which point his status for the Shanghai Masters–which begins Oct. 10–should become clearer.

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland in action against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain during their semi-final match at the St. Petersburg Open ATP tennis tournament in St.Petersburg, Russia, 24 September 2016. EPA/ANATOLY MALTSEV

As for Wawrinka, he has pulled out of next week’s Japan Open because of a back injury. The third-ranked Swiss, who would have been the defending champion in Tokyo, followed up his U.S. Open triumph by finishing runner-up to Alexander Zverev on the indoor hard courts of St. Petersburg.

With Wawrinka out, Japan’s own Kei Nishikori will likely be the No. 1 seed. The field is also expected to feature Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic, Gael Monfils, David Goffin, and Nick Kyrgios.

Even without Djokovic, the Beijing list remains an impressive one. Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Milos Raonic, and Dominic Thiem are among those entered in the 500-point tournament.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Atp World Tour, Beijing, China Open, Japan Open, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Sports, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis News, Tokyo

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10sBalls_com says:

September 29, 2016 at 3:10 pm

#Tennis News – Djokovic Withdraws From Beijing, & The 2016 #USOpen Champion Wawrinka Pulls Out Of Tokyo Event… https://t.co/c6SmjxjtWq
SDTFtennis says:

September 29, 2016 at 3:22 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: #Tennis News – Djokovic Withdraws From Beijing, & The 2016 #USOpen Champion Wawrinka Pulls Out Of Tokyo Event
https://t.c…
10sBalls_com says:

September 29, 2016 at 7:53 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: #Tennis News – Djokovic Withdraws From Beijing, & The 2016 #USOpen Champion Wawrinka Pulls Out Of Tokyo Event
https://t.c…