Djokovic Re-Injures Shoulder As Federer Returns To Basel Final; Upsets Reign In Spain

by Sean Randall | November 6th, 2011, 12:38 am
  • 72 Comments

So much for the greatest season ever. Novak Djokovic suffered his fourth loss today – one more than John McEnroe had in 1984 – when he fell to Kei Nishikori in a shock semifinal result at the Swiss Indoors in Basel.

After cruising to a first set win, Djokovic received treatment on his right shoulder, the same shoulder that troubled him during the US Open, and that was it. Novak lost the second in the breaker then was listless in devouring a bagel in the third losing to Nishikori 2-6, 7-6, 6-0.

“I changed the technique of my serve a little bit. I was forcing it too much because of the injury I have,” said Djokovic. “I’ve carried it since the US Open and I’m still afraid something is going to happen [with my shoulder]. My rhythm with the serve is not good right now.”


Credit to Nishikori who compiled his biggest win of his career and became the first Japanese man to beat a world No. 1.

“It feels great,” Nishikori said. “I was missing too much in the first set, but at the end of the second set, I started playing well.

And Kei is not done yet, for beating Novak he now gets a shot at Roger Federer on his home court tomorrow.

“I’ve always wanted to play Roger,” he said. “Before the tournament, I was wishing to play him but I was on the other side of the draw and knew I would need to make the final to have a chance to play him. It will be a good challenge for me to play against him.”

Federer returned to the Basel final after defeating good friend and countryman Stan Wawrinka 7-6, 6-2.

“He’s a guy I’ve never played against. My focus will be to remember how he plays,” said Federer of facing Nishikori for a first time. “He beat Novak in the semis, so he’ll have a shot in the final. He has great shots, a quick arm and is a fighter.

“He was injured a lot and wasn’t able to rise in the rankings like he was capable of. But he made the semi-finals in Shanghai and now the final here, so he’s taken advantage of his chances.”

Federer is a robust 28 of his last 29 in Basel with four trophies. And Federer is seeking his first ATP title since Doha at the start of the year.

In Valencia, favorites Juan Martin Del Potro and top seed/defending champion David Ferrer were both upset victims. Del Potro damaged his London hopes falling to Marcel Granollers. Ferrer was sent out by Juan Monaco in three sets. Isn’t that an indoor event? Results tell me it was on clay!

As for big story of the day – Djokovic’s health – if the shoulder is really that inflammed it’s doubtful he’ll play Paris and given the length of time it took him to recover just for Basel (6 weeks), he may not even be ready to go for London, especially with so little on the line.

The last thing Djokovic wants to do is further hurt that shoulder putting the start of 2012 and his Australian Open defense in peril.

Tennis Channel has the Basel Federer final at 9am ET and Valencia at 8pm ET. Don’t forget, set your clocks back!


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72 Comments for Djokovic Re-Injures Shoulder As Federer Returns To Basel Final; Upsets Reign In Spain

kriket Says:

Shame that he has to carry that injury now that he’s otherwise in the best form of his career.

I’m sure that when that shoulder heals, his game will still be there. Question is when will it heal and will the circumstances change until then. Maybe some other player comes along to claim the throne.


Wog boy Says:

The shoulder is a problem since Montreal. His body language in QF was clear, something wasn’t right and that wasn’t his game it was his shoulder. He is going to miss Paris and chances of playing London are slim. Get well mate, we need you.

At least one good news, Ana defended Bali without droping a set and it is her birthday today, happy birthday, as my daughter would say, YOU ROCK.

Almost forgot, good on you Nishikori, well deserved win, I am happy for you.


Michael Says:

Djokovic badly needs a match against Nadal to boost his confidence.


Kimmi Says:

michael lol, i think it is the other way round.


Wog boy Says:

Nice match in Fed. Cup. Kuznetsova is set and game up against Kvitova.


Kimmi Says:

wogboy says ” He is going to miss Paris and chances of playing London are slim”

is it for sure he is not playing paris?


Wog boy Says:

No Kimmi, it is not offical, it is my guts feeling. Something is just not right. He didn’t practice servis since DC until 5 ( five ) days prior Basel. Why would you do that if everything is fine with your body?


Wog boy Says:

One more thing, it looks to me that he put some weight on and on the other side Federer lost some weight. It is only me. ?


Kimmi Says:

thank wog boy, i am playing a bracket challenge, and djokovic is one of my main guys to get far. I am not sure now :(


Kimmi Says:

i thought djokovic problem at the USO was the back. the shoulder looked OK to me. He was serving OK at the USO, except that 4th set with rafa. He had a shoulder problem at Cincinnati though where he retired against murray.


Wog boy Says:

I guess they don’t tell us everything. I hope I am wrong.


Colin Says:

The way things are going, it looks like the London finals could be a “last man standing” scenario, with the winner being someone unexpected.


skeezerweezer Says:

Just speculaing, but as a player he could have tried to change his service motion a tad to protect an injured back, thus screwing up his shoulder. This is typical of an athlete trying to adjust to a injury and therefore compounding the problem.


skeezerweezer Says:

To add, it further proves how grueling the season is, especially if you are sucessful. Its obvious his body is breaking down. Would be smart to just take a good month or 2 off if he can, for the long term.


Kimberly Says:

agree with skeezer, I am currently on a hiatus from hitting two handing BHs with a right thumb tendonitis, problem is now my left forearm is starting to hurt :(


Wog boy Says:

Short term pain, long term gain.
I agree


Kimberly Says:

If I were a Djoko fan I would want him to take the rest of the year off. He has a gizillion points, nothing to prove, and then he can be ready for a full assault on 2012. As I am not a Djoker fan, hmmmmmm.

As A Rafa fan, he needs to train hard this off season. I don’t know why he would bother playing either. Even if he won the WTF the stigma of 6 losses will stay. He needs to train hard and basically push re-set. BTW, Rafa has a ton of points to defend next year as well with all of those finals. Austrailia is a key opportunity for Nadal to gain points as everywhere else until Montreal he will be defending finals or wins basically.

Murray and Federer seem healthy (other than the weird booty incident) and still have everything to play for.


Kimmi Says:

wog boy – i see kvitova came back and beat kutzy in the fed cup. Good to see she can turn around matches, cant wait to see how she will do next year.


Kimmi Says:

Llodra/zimonjic beats nestor/mirny in basel final. I think i like this llodra/zimonjic doubles team. after the spit of zimonjic and nestor, its good to see both still playing well with their new partners.


Kimmi Says:

*split*


Kimmi Says:

go roger!!


Kimmi Says:

federer cruising right now. go go go


Kimmi Says:

OK, federer is in maestro mood and nishikori is bad. first set easy to rogi.


carlo Says:

That first set from Federer was a sight to behold. It was like 2005 again. Nishikori has adjusted or Federer dropped his level. Boris Becker in the house.


Kimmi Says:

nishikori saving lotsn of break points in this set. c’mon roger


carlo Says:

Kei is impressive in this 2nd set. Federer is still in the maestro mood.


Kimmi Says:

yeah, lob to break.


carlo Says:

That was a love hold for Federer. Kei didn’t have a sniff.


carlo Says:

Come on Kei at least make Roger serve it out.


Kimmi Says:

wow! first break point nishikori


carlo Says:

Kei had a BP. I call it impressive fro Kei when Federer is at home in Maestro mood and the kid can get 4 games. Congratulations to Federer. Beautiful tennis from him today.


Kimmi Says:

CONGRATS TO ROGER. great last game. nishikori with a sniff on rogers serve. fed had to come up with the good. Great performance from fed, looks like he is in his top form again.

Good luck in paris.


steve-o Says:

Congrats to Federer! Five-time champ in his hometown.

And congratulations to Nishikori for a breakthrough season, beating so many good players. Surely he can only improve next year.


carlo Says:

Meanwhile Juan Monaco is in devil mode and in the mood to wreck a Granollers hope of a straight set win.


carlo Says:

What a perfect speech from Kei. He is a charming and poised young man. Great year for him

Federer didn’t cry. I thought there was going to be a flood. But just a tear and a crack of the voice. Mirka looks good. 5 of those huge gold trophies for the great man.


Kimmi Says:

Federer with 792 + 5 = 797 wins. He should get his 800 in paris.

Too many matches. Good luck roger.


dari Says:

Congrats to old Rog!

I had a similar moment as Ben- just delighting in the plaesure of watching Federer play!
And the tears after winning tell you how much he loves the sport and his hometown fans

Keep bringing the goods, Rog!

Well done to kei for a great few weeks and gettin to to final in a packed draw here, roger had nice things to say to him in his speech


carlo Says:

Monaco is heartless breaking Granollers 1st game in the decider. Come on Marcel! But Monaco is hunting his 1st title this year.


carlo Says:

Pff!! The linesman is wearing shades as in sunglasses and Marcel livid about a line call and telling him to get the shades off!

Oh no.


Kimmi Says:

i dont know why sam quarrey is playing qualifying in paris. he was injured for months, i thought he will get a direct entrance like delpo when he came back from injury.


skeezerweezer Says:

Congrats to the GOAT at 30, still not backing down and winning ATP Tour titles, keep building your legendary status, a athlete of conditioning, endurance, stabilty and and a history of winning like no other. Fed, master, magician, and the Mercedes Benz of Tennis.


carlo Says:

Granollers has a nice touch at the net. He was able to compose himself after the sunglasses episode but is a break down. Terrific decider going on.

Have no idea why about Sam, Kimmi. Hope he can qualify.


carlo Says:

Vamos Marcel! I really like this guy.


Maso Says:

Brilliant tournament for Federer, hope he can maintain the form in Paris and WTF.


carlo Says:

2nd bp Granollers. He – doesn’t get it.


carlo Says:

Well. That may have been Marcel’s last chance gone.


carlo Says:

Monaco I’d say choked a little but Marcel got a break finally. And he is about to break Juan again!

Vamos Marcel


Kimmi Says:

granollers is turning around this match..


carlo Says:

2nd match point for Granollers. Monaco serving.


carlo Says:

Another match point saved by Juan – barely.


Kimmi Says:

i think it is a curse to lose match points. it will be horrible if he end up losing the match.


carlo Says:

Credit to Monaco for holding serve that game. And Marcle holds with a love game. The title winning tie break coming.


carlo Says:

It will be…I will be disappointed with the home crowd if Monaco wins. Granollers has grown on me this tournament.


trufan Says:

Fed has a damn good chance at Paris and London – both fast indoor courts, None of the top 3 in good shape or in touch.

Has anyone won the YEC six times?

Djoke’s body is breaking down. The shoulder problem is from Montreal/Cincinnati. He is obviously not fit. 3 of his 4 losses this year have been on health grounds. I hope he definitely skips Paris. He should have skipped Cincinnati – maybe he wouldn’t have had any of those injuries.

Federer was smart to skip the whole Asian swing. Nadal should have done that too – instead of skipping Paris – since he will be unprepared for London. Perhaps he skipped Paris because they booed him a few years ago.

I doubt if ANY of these guys (Nadal, Djoke, Murray, DelPo) will even be in contention for a slam past age 30. Maybe Fed has a better shot at a slam in 2012 compared to 2011!

I think Federer takes the AUS open again. Djoke might be too hung up on defending points. Everyone is a bit rusty there anyway. Murray is not going to do it. Nadal’s days on hard courts are limited. DelPo might show up in full form though – what a year – started at 485, might end at 9 (or even 8!).


Kimberly Says:

Sam did not qualify for Paris but if I were him I would hang around. I imagine there will be some lucky loser spots popping up.


carlo Says:

That didn’t come out right. I meant was – the home crowd will be disappointed and so will I, if Monaco wins.


carlo Says:

How Happy! Marcel Granollers wins Valencia.

Took him 2 tries. That is just perfect for the day.


Kimmi Says:

congrats to marcel.


Nims Says:

Good win by Roger. But Roger is a different player in indoors compared to outdoors. His backhand is such an offensive shot when he plays indoors. So don’t read too much into his wins here for his chances in GS. They are a different cup of tea.


carlo Says:

Spain might want to remove Verdasco and put Granollers in for Davis Cup? Really like Granollers tennis. Nice guy too.


El Flaco Says:

trufan Says:
Has anyone won the YEC six times?
————————————–

I checked this a while back and my recollection is that Sampras and Federer both have 5. Nobody has 6.


Brando Says:

Well done roger- he deserved another title this year considering RU at FO and MPs in SF at USO. It should be a fed- murray final in paris- provided draw allow its to be. Nole will be very naive if he were to play there. He’s won it before, has nothing to prove and shall only lose 90 points if he doesn’t play there. Shall lose absolutely nothing if he doesn’t play

@Nims: I completely agree with you re federer BH on indoor as opposed to outdoor courts. His form here has no bearing going into 2012 season other than boosting his self confidence- if that was needed.

From 1 january 2012 everyone shall start from zero once again- should be fun!


Humble Rafa Says:

Fed, master, magician, and the Mercedes Benz of Tennis

You missed Rolex.


skeezerweezer Says:

HR,

Sorry, my bad. Hows the Kia? :)


strela Says:

Nestor never showed that he is proud of his background what is quite rare comparing to other Serbian sport professionals. He also changed his last name from Nestorovic to Nestor. It was quite surprise when he decided to play with Zimonjic but as we all know that did not last long. Zimonjic was disappointed that Nestor did not want to continue to be his partner but he respected Nestor decision. I also had departed from Serbia because of sanctions, bombing and compromised future for my family. But in my case (like many others) I did not change my last name and am still proud from where I came and even doe it will help me in my carrier, I did not change my last name that my colleagues can’t spell it right.
This is the reason why we all respect Djokovic who is still very young but he is very proud of who he is and from where he coming from. We all know the best how we Serbian immigration in Canada were treated during bombing. On radio, newspapers like Globe and Mail we were treated like thugs, barbarians and wild animals. Mel Lastman, Toronto major at that time called us thugs who should be deported and do not deserve to live in civilized society…


dari Says:

KIA lol, skeezer


Kimmi Says:

love this quote from roger

“I haven’t been able to win in Paris yet, so I hope to do some damage over there,” said Federer.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2011/11/44/Basel-Sunday-Federer-Dismisses-Nishikori-For-Fifth-Title.aspx


jane Says:

Congrats to Fed for 5th Basel title and to Granollers as well.


alison hodge Says:

congrats to fed nice to see him bag another title,i never really thought that the result was ever in any doubt to be honest,i didnt see much of the game as i was at work,only caught the end,but from what i could gather ,fed does what he always does and played some sublime tennis,it would have been nice to have had more of a contest though jmo,however great win for roger well done.


alison hodge Says:

congrats must also go to granollers too,nice to see him and his family looking so happy,saw more of that game,nice to see an even contest too


Michael Says:

Fitness. This is the reason Federer is the GREATEST in Tennis.


WTF Says:

I guess injury had to hit him at some point after such a stellar season. I’m surprised he didn’t retire, and just played to a 6-0 loss in the 3rd set. That’s not like him. Before this match, he’d only lost once this year when facing match point. The other two were injury retirements.

It’s not his style to play through pain, so I’m not sure what happened here.

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