Novak Djokovic Withdraws From Madrid Due To Right Wrist Injury

Well, that explains it……I knew something was up. Wise choice……maybe he took a lesson from Delpo, I certainly would have. The way he had his wrist bound up at the last tournament, looked serious to me. I guess the article I read on another site had some substance to it after all. Get well, Novak and don’t push it……pushing the envelope will not pay off in the long run.

May 4th, 2014 at 10:26 am

This was expected.
He will withdraw from Rome next Sunday. Three weeks later he will withdraw from RG and so on……
Mark my words…..

May 4th, 2014 at 10:36 am

Sorry about Nole. Wrist injuries are a bummer :(

May 4th, 2014 at 10:47 am

Any injuries are a bummer, not just wrist injuries!!!

May 4th, 2014 at 10:51 am

@Giles
Well, I’ve just read an article saying wrist injuries are almost the worst you can get.
Not rocket science to figure out why.

May 4th, 2014 at 10:54 am

This news really sucks. I hope it’s a precaution ahead of RG and nothing more serious. Tennis could use a healthy Nole right now. Only irritation is another draw opening up for Stan. grrr

May 4th, 2014 at 10:58 am

Nole seems a bit prone to making public statements without taking thought. He probably ought never to have considered playing in Madrid.

I see Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins lost the Munich final to Jamie Murray and his Aussie partner Peers.
And – Fognini lost the singles final to a qualifier!

May 4th, 2014 at 10:58 am

I watched the Munich final. Klizan, despite having a stomach bug, completely outplayed Fabio in the last 2 sets. It was exhilarating to watch. He finally lived up to the promise he had shown a couple of years ago. Fognini of course was the same as ever, receiving a code violation and point penalty.

May 4th, 2014 at 11:04 am

@ Maestro Fed
@ 10:36 a.m.

Sure hope you are wrong about that.

May 4th, 2014 at 11:08 am

@the Da
I watched it as well and although Klizan isn’t the sort of player I usually like, I thought it was a really gutsy performance. And, when its on, THAT forehand is amazing. Look out everyone! He outplayed Haas too, who was a bit ungracious, I thought.
Foggy couldn’t cope with his power, but Foggy had some sort of injury too, preventing him from moving so freely.

May 4th, 2014 at 11:09 am

Well hopefully this is just damage limitation,and hopefully he will play Rome next week,any news on that Sean?

May 4th, 2014 at 11:15 am

@Margot. And how about knee injuries? How do they grade? I will tell you – my man was out for seven and a half months!!

May 4th, 2014 at 11:17 am

Giles, Margot has a point on this one. Yeah, your man was out for 7 months, rehabbing? Then went on to win every single tournament he played.

Del potro, wrist injury. 1 year. Do the maths.

No discussion. Wrist is far more serious.

What exactly is the problem with Rafa’s knees? I don’t see any major problem.

May 4th, 2014 at 11:21 am

@Margot – yes that FH is *hot* when it’s on. He used the drop shot to devastating effect as well. As for Haas, I’ve never thought of him as particularly warm & fuzzy. Plus there was *that* interview a couple of years ago which killed things for me ;)

Looking forward to the brief run in Madrid? hehe Having said that, the last time I saw a photo of Almagro he was on crutches.

May 4th, 2014 at 11:22 am

Maybe he will play a couple of matches next week in Rome,he wont have to play till next Wednesday as he will have a bye,he will need some CC practice ahead of the FO,he hasnt played since losing to Roger in the semis at MC which will be quite a long time ago,so i dont think its likely he will go there cold turkey?

May 4th, 2014 at 11:23 am

I’d say in order of severity it’s :

1) wrist
2) back
3) knees

IMHO.

May 4th, 2014 at 11:24 am

The fact that Novak said it “flared up”, must have happened in practice because last time, he said after the scans, it was not as serious as first thought. He should have waiting a while I think, but now, it is better for him to play no part in the tournament and even, I would think, miss Rome. Another 2 weeks therapy. I sure hope it is not anything serious that could keep him out of the FO.

That would be tragic.

May 4th, 2014 at 11:24 am

The damage limitation is saying he’ll play Rome. If he is not fit this week, I don’t see how he can be fit next week. He’ll wait until the last minute, then withdraw.

May 4th, 2014 at 11:44 am

If injury is not that serious then this is good news for me.He should go easy in to hitting ball again.I thought his immediate statement that he will play Madrid was just there to help Madrid organizers ( apparently Novak and his team are very good with Triac ).I don’t belive his injury has flared up again but he is trying to go with the practice little by little and be healty for RG;He said himself that he did not practice for two weeks- so surely he would not go in a brutal draw he has and go easy with the wrist?
Most likely will miss Rome also…he should or just go easy ( if that’s possible ??? ).
If his injury is serious then everything I wrote above is lots of hot air. (-:

May 4th, 2014 at 11:52 am

Dang ! :(

May 4th, 2014 at 11:54 am

If it’s tendonitis – in the classic sense – he needs to be away for months, with no activity at all. It’s not just playing time – it’s the practice time and the weight training you need to do in order to play at the ATP Level that makes the flare ups occur acutely. You just have to stop playing and training for about 60-90 days. after that, the long road back of getting your game back in terms of training and practice can begin, which means it will be another few months after the down time before he’s ready to play tour level tennis again. Rest is his only option if it’s actually tendonitis, which it appears to be.

May 4th, 2014 at 11:55 am

@ DA: I think you miss lots of injuries more serious then the one you put it.
1.Broken back
2.Broken legs and arms
3.Broken skull
there is more but I can’t remember…I’ll come back to you.(-:

May 4th, 2014 at 11:56 am

Whichever way you cut it,i hope its not too serious,and he will be fit for the FO,best of luch Nole for a speedy recovery….

May 4th, 2014 at 11:59 am

@courbon – :) I think you missed:

4) broken brain
5) broken spirit

May 4th, 2014 at 12:04 pm

Hi Courbon i hope alls well with you,im emotionally gutted as it would appear LVC have actually in fact blown their best chance in years of winning the Premier League now grr,#p*ssed off,gutted,and all the best to Nole for a speedy recovery….

May 4th, 2014 at 12:06 pm

I read this:

Djokovic’s wrist problems significantly different from the one(s) plaguing Nadal?

Nursing a wrist injury in tennis is like boxing with severely injured center knuckles on both hands. Injured thumb for basketball?

Not only the location the point of FIRST impact it is also the most crucial.

Besides, the part is not like any other area considering the reinforcement around the joint.

Just freaking look at your wrist NOW. Compare that to say a knee or a back or a hip…. Lack of varied equipment to absorb punishment around the joint both with respect to quality and quantity narrows down the available options to near zero.

And we already have a ‘living and breathing’ exhibit ‘A’ called Del Freaking Potro.

Translation: There are not many who have come back from that injury – and played tennis – ANYWHERE.

Add Djokovic’s EXTREME ectomorph frame and the possibilities begin to travel to territories called negitory – from zero.

Is the brutality and physicality of the encounters the two have endured against each other (one against his own style of play – too) finally taking it’s toll – physically and mentally? It’s possible.

Unless the wrist problem is a result of some accidental twist that could mend itself over time, this is not going anywhere based on the larger and more likely evidence the injury is pointing to – near irrefutably.

Are we then at the ‘two cats fighting while the monkey takes the food’ syndrome? The two Swiss clowns could capitalize big freaking time if above BS is even remotely true.

May 4th, 2014 at 12:28 pm

the DA Says:

I’d say in order of severity it’s :

1) wrist
2) back
3) knees

I really don’t think you can classify in order of severity. Obviously it’s important to have a fully functioning wrist. However if the knees and back are not as they should be, movement, which is essential, is compromised. Any injury that limits ability is serious.

madmax said. “What exactly is the problem with Rafa’s knees? I don’t see any major problem.”

What do you expect to see? Do you have x-ray vision? For years the pundits said that Nadal’s career would be short because his body, especially his knees would not take the punishment exerted on it and them by his style of play. The we have folks saying his injuries are fake.

I couldn’t see anything wrong with Djokovic’s wrist, other than he wore a bandage from wrist to elbow. Using your criteria of assessment, does that mean he obviously doesn’t have a major problem, or maybe no problem at all?

It’s the same with people who assume that an injury that requires surgery is more serious than one that doesn’t. Not so, resorting to the knife isn’t the panacea.

May 4th, 2014 at 12:34 pm

@ Hippy Chic: I know! What a bummer for LVC…there is still chance, right?
I kind of expected Novak to withdrawn-I’ll be gutted if he miss RG or more..

@ Ah, yes! I forgot about broken brain.
There is a couple of people on this blog that suffer from that injury, maybe they can give us insight in how is to live with that injury…
If I remember correctly , you are Murray fan and I think he will be a dark horse this clay season ( not necessarily in Madrid ).For me is just not logic that he is not playing great on clay.
Clay is about long rallies and construction of points, and he is one the best in bussines!So I think he will finally get some great results in the next 4 weeks.
Just my opinion, that’s all.

May 4th, 2014 at 12:35 pm

Jamie i know your dissapointed your favorites suffering with a wrist injury,but calling Roger and Stan clowns is bang out of order….

May 4th, 2014 at 1:32 pm

Courbon i hope your right about Andy on clay,but hes under less pressure on that surface,which could probably work in his favour you never know?

May 4th, 2014 at 1:33 pm

@courbon – You remember correctly. I fully agree with your point. I recall the 2011 clay season very well. Andy took a set off Rafa (6-2) at MC, served for the match against Nole in Rome and pushed Rafa hard in the RG SF. So I know he’s got the ability somewhere in there. It all depends on on how the back mends as his is most susceptible to niggles/pain on clay. We’ll see.

May 4th, 2014 at 2:01 pm

Thanks for the info Sean,please be on your guard moderation wise with Jamie,as previous experience suggests hes a poster who was renound in the past, for name calling and trash talking of fellow posters and the players,hes already started with comments like clowns ok mild at the moment but im sure its only a matter of time….

May 4th, 2014 at 2:02 pm

This really doesn’t look good for Novak. The fact that it ‘flared up’ again, presumably from hitting some balls in practice, points to a more chronic injury that may take a long time to heal. Truly unfortunate timing considering the momentum he had coming into the clay season from his great HC run in the US. As in 2011, Nadal may be saved from having to face a rampaging Novak at the French.

May 4th, 2014 at 2:03 pm

In 2007 Andy had a serious wrist injury, I believe he snapped tendons, and missed RG and Wimbles. was so down about it he saw a sports psychologist.

May 4th, 2014 at 3:09 pm

All the hype of Rafa possibly losing the number one ranking……Well, not this week, anyway. I get amused at all of the ink and paper, so to speak, that is used making all the predictions and the ifs ands and buts of tennis news. Que Sera sera!!

May 4th, 2014 at 4:29 pm

@Chic

Did you watch Fabio? Sorry he lost. Wondering if he twisted off…..or an injury, maybe? I thought he would that match…….Tennis is hard to predict these days!

May 4th, 2014 at 4:57 pm

^^^^^ I thought he would win that match, should say…

May 4th, 2014 at 4:59 pm

Berdych lost to a qualifier, Berlocq

May 4th, 2014 at 5:05 pm

Okiegal tennis is hard to predict these days aint that the truth lol?ive come to the conclusion that the only prediction people can predict is that they cannot predict anything lol,anyway no unfortunatly i didnt see the Italian Stallion but still hes had a good week,shame he couldnt end it on a high,rumours were that he had some sort of injury,but i hope he like Novak and the rest are fit for the FO whatever happens,i will bid you goodnight and chat to you tomorrow,as im off to bed as i have a migraine coming on i feel….

May 4th, 2014 at 5:21 pm

Tendonitus is treatable. Cause is usually overworked and tight muscle groups whi ch put a strain on the wrist tendons. You can treat the inflamed tendons with ice and/or cortisone injections, boost the immune system with acupuncture or reflextherapy, but if you do not identify and treat the cause, and do some intense physiotherapy and musclerelaxing exercises, it will just keep coming back.

Hospital doctors usually have no clue how to deal with it, you need an experienced sports therapist.

Makes me wonder if Djoker is getting the right advice…

May 4th, 2014 at 6:47 pm

Berdych maintains his status as choker supreme. The best time to play Berdych is still in the finals of any tournament.

May 4th, 2014 at 7:14 pm

Djokovic from 5 sf at Roland Garros, he only reached 1 final. He is not the favorite there, even right now, Wawrinka is more dangerous than him.
He will not win the career grand slam.

May 4th, 2014 at 7:21 pm

Berdich is only good against Federer, but only is not meet him in finals.

May 4th, 2014 at 7:24 pm

@Klaas,
To my knowledge, Professor Pavel Kolar is looking after Novak’s wrist.

May 4th, 2014 at 9:52 pm

With Djokovic’s wrist problem, the probability of Nadal winning the French has just significantly increased. In spite of Nadal’s recent loses, it is still Novak who has a realistic chance to beat him. The French is realy Nadal’s domain.

May 4th, 2014 at 10:24 pm

Taking out Nadal at Roland Garros still ranks as the ultimate challenge.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/05/sports/tennis/nadals-time-springtime-in-paris.html?_r=0

May 4th, 2014 at 11:05 pm

Get better, Djoko! Not your biggest fan, but tennis is better when you are around!

May 4th, 2014 at 11:40 pm

It is a pity really. Nevertheless I was expecting this considering that wrist injuries are mostly serious and takes considerable amount of time to heal. Similar ailment literally squandered a whole year for Del Potro. Participation by Novak in Rome and Rolland Garros also look doubtful for me at this moment. I just hope for the sake of Novak that he takes Rome by storm.

May 5th, 2014 at 1:16 am

Alison,

The only right prediction you can make is that Tennis is unpredictable.

May 5th, 2014 at 1:17 am

Michael Sean says its doubtfull that Nole will play Rome,read his post to me @1.52pm May 4th….

May 5th, 2014 at 1:54 am

Michael @1.17am May 5th,lol yeah damn right….

May 5th, 2014 at 2:08 am

Alison,

Quite possible that Novak will be forced to skip Rome too due to his ailment. Despite assurances from his Team that it was not serious, I had my own doubts. It is really cruel considering that Novak opened the year with a bang winning the coveted double of Indian Wells and Miami. With a perceptible dip in Rafa’s form at clay courts in particular, this was the year Novak was expected to seize the moment and widely expected to fulfill his destiny by winning Rolland Garros, a trophy he would love to hold which would help him achieve the monumental feat of holding aloft all the major trophies, an unique feat possible only for select Greats of Tennis including Roger and Rafa. Now, with Novak out of the picture, I think it is advantage Rafa in Madrid and Rome despite dip in his form. May be Wawarinka would pose a challenge to Rafa and make it competitive.

May 5th, 2014 at 3:12 am

Djokovic from 5 sf at Roland Garros, he only reached 1 final. He is not the favorite there, even right now, Wawrinka is more dangerous than him.

And Wawrinka has not reached the finals of Roland Garros yet. To call him more dangerous than Novak is quite a statement.

Also with Novak, his loss has been to either Roger or Rafa in the past 3 years. That’s not a bad loss to take. Apart from Rafa, Roger is a pretty decent player on Clay. That too his form in 2011 FO, was probably the best tennis he played on Clay through his career, IMO.

May 5th, 2014 at 3:26 am

I agree with Happy Chic. Calling Roger and Stan clowns definitely needs moderation.

May 5th, 2014 at 3:27 am

In the absence of Novak, if Rafa can give some UFE, then Roger too can have an upset against Rafa this time, maybe not in FO, but in Madrid.

May 5th, 2014 at 3:30 am

Do we actually know what’s wrong with Joker’s wrist apart from the fact that he wore a bandage from his wrist to his elbow in MC final?

May 5th, 2014 at 3:32 am

Against roger, rafa always hits an extra gear with extra pace in his movement as well. Against roger, rafa automatically feels comfortable, injury or no injury….look what he did to rog with a blistered palm in AO this year. Rafa gets to his comfy zone, seeing roger across the net….perhaps he rly relish playing against fed.

So, I dnt think he will lose to fed on his beloved clay due to conf issues….rather he will pounce on fed to flaunt his supremacy over him, if they meet. I have never seen a more aggresive nadal against anyone than while playing fed. No wonder fed usually says in the pressers, that rafa always brings his best against him.

But nontheless, I always hope for this miracle to happen with a bated breath.

May 5th, 2014 at 6:23 am

I didn’t think the wrist injury was going to go away that fast. Hopefully it’s a minor injury that only needs rest and not one requiring surgery.

May 5th, 2014 at 10:49 am

Klaas, you cannot “boost the immune system” (or anything else) with acupuncture. Acupuncture is quack stuff with no scientific basis whatever, Probably the only popular “treatment” that’s sillier is homeopathy. Some, like osteopathy, can be actually dangerous.Yes, the internet is awash with testimonials for pseudo-medical procedures, but testimonials are not evidence.

May 5th, 2014 at 11:53 am

Kathy Says:
the DA Says:

I’d say in order of severity it’s :

1) wrist
2) back
3) knees

I really don’t think you can classify in order of severity. Obviously it’s important to have a fully functioning wrist. However if the knees and back are not as they should be, movement, which is essential, is compromised. Any injury that limits ability is serious.

madmax said. “What exactly is the problem with Rafa’s knees? I don’t see any major problem.”

What do you expect to see? Do you have x-ray vision? For years the pundits said that Nadal’s career would be short because his body, especially his knees would not take the punishment exerted on it and them by his style of play. The we have folks saying his injuries are fake.

Kathy,

You misunderstand. Try to read carefully before you get your knickers in a twistie. How can someone who is supposed to suffer from a severe injury, then go on to win 7 plus tournaments? Really? Tell me that? Then you have Novak, who has injured his wrist, and is taking this very seriously. No one is saying that Rafa’s injury is fake, it just simply could not have been as serious as you make it out to be.

That was the issue.

May 5th, 2014 at 3:09 pm

Rafa was out for seven and a half months rehabbing. His efforts paid off last year when he returned to the tour. Quite simple really! He won 10 titles in 2013.

May 5th, 2014 at 3:28 pm

Don’t understand why joker waited for doctor’s advice on Sunday when the wrist had already flared up. Seems to be a bit of a contradiction here.

May 5th, 2014 at 3:35 pm

@Kathy

Your comment was spot on…….as usual, everyone else’s injuries are very serious and Rafa’s aren’t.

I think Rafa took his injury very seriously, took 7 months off, rehabbed the knee and came back and won 7 plus tournaments. Seven months is a long time to be away from the game.

TXers need to deal with the fact that Rafa beat Novak at the US Open and chill…..straighten out their “twisted knickers” and move on to the injury at hand and leave Rafa’s knees out of it.

I think we can all agree that an injury that would cause a player to withdraw from a tournament is serious. But I am not surprised that a conversation was introduced on this forum about the seriousness of one person’s injury as opposed to another person’s……..no, not surprised at all!

May 5th, 2014 at 4:00 pm

@Giles

You beat me with your comment……slow typist….however I did put a lot of thought into it…slow brain too!! lol

May 5th, 2014 at 4:04 pm

@Okiegal. Lol. Don’t mind who gets their 2 cents in first, you or me. I am a fast typist, sometimes.

May 5th, 2014 at 4:20 pm

Problem is Rafa has a history of using injury excuses for wins and losses. So of course he is always questioned over other players regarding the severity of it all, and good reason. So get used to it Rafans.

A wrist injury can knock you out of playing tennis completely. Even if the ball is hit at you and you don’t have to move you cannot strike the ball. You’re done. Best thing for Novak as VM1 said earlier is to completely layoff doin anything with the wrist for awhile. A tall order, but it is the quickest way back to playing again.

May 5th, 2014 at 5:07 pm

@Skeezer

“Problem is Rafa has a history of using injury excuses…….let’s dredge that one up for the umpteenth time……..here is another “history” lesson, Fed Necks, Fed’s h2h against Rafa is sucky! Tee hee!

Hope Novak isn’t out long, tennis is boring w/o him.

May 5th, 2014 at 6:11 pm