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.
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.
Topics: 10sballs.com, Atp World Tour, Beijing, China Open, Japan Open, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Sports, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis News, Tokyo
#Tennis News – Djokovic Withdraws From Beijing, & The 2016 #USOpen Champion Wawrinka Pulls Out Of Tokyo Event… https://t.co/c6SmjxjtWq
RT @10sBalls_com: #Tennis News – Djokovic Withdraws From Beijing, & The 2016 #USOpen Champion Wawrinka Pulls Out Of Tokyo Event
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RT @10sBalls_com: #Tennis News – Djokovic Withdraws From Beijing, & The 2016 #USOpen Champion Wawrinka Pulls Out Of Tokyo Event
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