Wednesday 26 July 2017 13:24, UK
Novak Djokovic is a doubt for the US Open due to his elbow injury, according to quotes attributed to Serbia's Davis Cup team doctor in the country's media.
Djokovic retired hurt during the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and said he was considering taking a break from playing to recover from the long-standing injury to his right elbow.
And Serbia's Sportski Zurnal reported that the 30-year-old could face up to 12 weeks on the sidelines.
"He has a bruised bone due to excessive playing," it quoted Zdenko Milinkovic as saying. "Nole (Djokovic) must rest for six to 12 weeks.
"The next examination will know whether this assessment stays or changes.
"During this period, he will not train with a racket but he will run other sessions, such as fitness and the like. Of course there will be certain therapies.
"He was with a specialist at Toronto for additional tests. He also consulted our experts of course, because we are great friends.
"Now it's important to rest with different types of procedures that can affect recovery. Surgery remains the last option."
The 12-times grand slam champion won the U.S. Open in 2011 and 2015, and this year's tournament begins on 28 August.
If Djokovic does sit out the trip to New York, it will end his run of 51 consecutive appearances at grand slams and mean dropping further down the world rankings.
He is currently placed fourth but is already due to slip to fifth when the list updates on Monday, having endured a difficult 2017 so far.
