Novak Djokovic hopeful of quick return to action from eye injury
Thursday 25 February 2016 21:33, UK
Novak Djokovic hopes his eye injury will not keep him on the sidelines for too long.
The world No 1 had to retire from his Dubai Duty Free Championships quarter-final clash with Feliciano Lopez on Thursday after losing the opening set 6-3, suffering his first 'defeat' of the season.
Djokovic, who won his 700th ATP Tour match on Wednesday, lost his serve in the opening game of the match and had to save three break points to avoid falling 3-0 behind, before calling for the trainer.
Although he was able to continue, a second break handed Lopez the set and Djokovic then shook hands with the Spaniard.
"I have had it ever since I arrived in Dubai," Djokovic said on the ATP website. "It started with an infection and then severe allergy.
"It's gotten worse in the last two days, unfortunately. It's the first time that I have had such a problem with the eye. It was ultra-sensitive today.
"[My match record] is the least of my thoughts in the moment. I just hope that this problem will fade away in the next couple of days.
"I'm really sad to finish the tournament this way. I apologise to all the people who came to watch the match. I apologise to the tournament director and those who came out to support me. I'm really sad to end out the tournament this way, but I was forced to."
