Novak Djokovic’s 2017 Season Is Over Due To An Elbow Injury

by Staff | July 26th, 2017, 9:36 am
  • 53 Comments

It’s official, Novak Djokovic’s 2017 season is officially over. A year ago Roger Federer ending his season following Wimbledon, now it’s Djokovic.

The Serb cited a bad right elbow he has been battling for some 18 months, he said during a news conference earlier today.

“All the doctors I’ve consulted, and all the specialists I have visited, in Serbia and all over the world, have agreed that this injury requires rest,” said Djokovic. “A prolonged break from the sport is inevitable. I’ll do whatever it takes to recover. I will use the upcoming period to strengthen my body and also to improve certain tennis elements that I have not been able to work on over the past years, due to a demanding schedule. Five months may seem long from this point, but I’m sure they will pass quickly because there is so much I want to do.


“Another important moment is coming, we will become parents for a second time. My wife Jelena and I are expecting our second child, and we are preparing to welcome a new family member. These are things that fill me with greatest happiness and delight. I’m confident I will be ready for start of the new season.”

The US Open will be the first Grand Slam Djokovic has missed since the 2004 season.

The elbow, he said, just wouldn’t heal under the strain of the pro tour.

“My elbow is hurt due to excessive playing, and it troubles me constantly when serving, and now when playing forehand as well,” he said. “Unfortunately, such injuries are often encountered in a professional sport, and I am very proud of the fact that I have been free from serious injuries during all these years. I think I haven’t missed a single major event for more than 10 years, I’ve been reaching the final stages of the tournaments and playing at the highest level. The remarkable series has come to an end. My body has its limits, and I have to respect that and be grateful for all that I have achieved so far. At the beginning of my career I was facing health issues, but during years, and with a lot of patience and dedication, I found a solution. That’s the approach I take to this situation, and I firmly believe that I will come back stronger.”

Djokovic hopes to return refreshed for 2018.

“It is the most important for me to recover, to be able to play injury free for as long as possible, to compete in the sport that has given me so much, the sport I love,” he said. “Of course I want to return to the winning form, to win again, to win the trophies. But now it is not the time to talk about it. At this point, I’m focusing on recovery.”

Finally, Djokovic added that Andre Agassi is still part of his life, and will help him recover.

“We’ve been speaking regularly. Andre was with me in Toronto and he helped me find doctors, specialists in treating elbow injuries. During this short period of time, we’ve been getting to know each other and building trust and understanding. He supports my decision to take a break, and remains my head coach. He is going to help me get back into shape and bounce back strong after the recovery period.”

The 30-year-old Djokovic will fall out of the Top 10 and likely be around No. 15 when the season opens in January.


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53 Comments for Novak Djokovic’s 2017 Season Is Over Due To An Elbow Injury

madmax Says:

Bravo Novak.

Finally. He is listening to expert advice and no doubt, taking a leaf out of both Rafa’s and Roger’s book. He will be in the same position as Roger was last year, around this time – no matter that he falls outside of the top 10. This happened to Fed, coming back as number 16 the following season.

And. Look what happened from them on.

The 30-year-old Djokovic will fall out of the Top 10 and likely be around No. 15 when the season opens in January. – This should not be anything to worry about as once Novak is rested and recovered, wow. He will come back and take the men’s tour by storm.

Good luck Novak. With everything in the interim.


SG1 Says:

As long as the injuries are something he can fully heal from, I agree that Novak will come back strongly next year.

I’ve never been a big fan of Western grips. I can’t think of many elite players that hit with it. Given the number of matches that Novak has played over the past 10 years, it’s not entirely surprising that he’s experiencing wrist and shoulder problems right now.

The Open is now basically a three horse race between Rafa, Roger and Stan. Wouldn’t mind seeing Stan repeat as the winner. He’s won a major in each of the last 3 years and some redemption for his FO loss to Rafa would be nice.

I expect that if Roger wins the USO, he will pretty much shut things down for the rest of the year. He’s proven that when he’s healthy and fresh, he’s still the best. He’ll need that health and freshness for the AO where Andy and Novak will likely be ready to put up a serious fight to reestablish themselves.

Next year’s AO may the best major of the year.


Willow Says:

Madmax i wish him the best and a speedy recovery, but please no more Novak domination, i remember the type of posts and posters we had last time (YUCK)….


skeezer Says:

@SG1,
What are you a fan of, semi-western?


monterey Says:

Fed has already said he’s not taking any more time off this year. There’s a lot of tennis left to play, as he put it.

But if he won USO who knows what he’d do. He also pointed out that it’s unrealistic to expect him to win three majors this year. He’s very happy with two.


Giles Says:

Geez! He’s not taking a leaf out of anybody’s book, he is merely following doctor’s advice/ orders.


Lylenubbins Says:

He has a motivation problem for in addition to the injury, let’s not forget that part


skeezer Says:

Hhard to be motivated tryin to play with a nad elbow


chrisford1 Says:

It’s been an amazing run for 10 years for Djokovic. 10 years in the Top 5. Ten years of getting at least one Masters or above each and every year tarting in Miami in 2007. Ten years where he piled up the best winning percent , highest matches played per tournament entered record.
10 years in which he became a legend. The 2011-2016 run of dominating the sport in a time of great competitors. The 1st Grand Slam since Laver, calendar or not..
But he is not superman. He is ‘just’ an ironman like Fed, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors..and they too finally had to take a long break or two for injuries.


nath Says:

So much for our predictions on the end of the year top 10


Frank frankovich Says:

As a Croat whose grandparents came fom Croatia, i still like Novak a lot. He is among the greats of all time. Ope he recovers and gets his game back.


Humble Rafa Says:

He gets more time with Pepe. Nothing is worse for the Egg Lover’s career than that.


Humble Rafa Says:

I am glad my lovely parents didn’t name me Humblo Humblovich.


chrisford1 Says:

Djokovic sent a “selfie vid ” message to all his fans right before his press announcement. 6 minutes. Informative and he seems in decent spirits and has a good attitude about working on his weak spots, building overall strength, hopefully greet a healthy new baby in a month and a half, as well as rest. Andre learned and committed to be with Novak in 2018, he will be building his team, will not touch a racket for 2 months. Vid was at the tennis center courts overlooking the Sava river in Belgrade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh5StwaXM8c


Shut Up Nadal! Says:

Djokovic is taking the time off because doctors are recommending it, but the reality is that he’s hoping the time off will help him get his game and his head together so he can come back next year and try to close the now 3 Slam gap with Nadal and 7 Slam gap with Federer. He’s not stupid. He wants to be the GOAT but he’s not going to get to 19 Slams unless he can with 3 each in 2018 and 2019. So he sacrifices 1 Slam this year for future Slams – and just has to hope the neither Federer nor Nadal wins the US Open…which given how crappy everybody else is right now is NOT a good bet to make.


Danica Says:

Smart decision on Nole’s part. I am happy.

He said the first problems started already during the Fall of 2015. He played more or less taking pain killers since then but during the Wimbledon, for the first time, his body didn’t react to them. Even though Andre committed himself to stay through the 2018, Novak is waiting Mario Ancic’s decision to become his full time coach. As for motivation, he sad that after the FO 2016 he felt flat and struggled for motivation after winning everything he wanted. But he also commented that he found that will this year in the last few months and that he sees himself competing five years from now.

Rest up Nole, heal and come back storming :).


Arnold Says:

“Viktor! Bring me my Firebolt!”

No, we are not in Fantasyland.

He is done, Fini, terminado.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Off topic but nowhere else to put this:

Nice article about Roddick and Clijsters Hall of Fame inductions.

http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/20134437/andy-roddick-kim-clijsters-tennis-hall-fame-inductees

Here’s Andy on the Big Four and Roger personally:

“It sucked being in your vacuum at times. I still consider myself lucky,” said Roddick, who lost to Federer in a Grand Slam final four times. “I got to guard Jordan. I went the distance with Ali. I pitched to Babe Ruth. I feel like I know what it must have been like to watch Picasso. I saw it all.

“I won a couple times — not a lot but a couple,” he said. “The big four guys really pissed me off most of the time when I played them. But I’m absolutely proud to have my life and career associated with such quality individuals.”

Roddick said at the pre-ceremony news conference that when he woke up that morning, the first text he saw was from Federer.

“He makes it extremely hard not to like him as a person,” Roddick said.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Frankly, the elbow injury is the only explanation that really explains everything. Or almost everything. Of course he’s going to lose his will to fight sometimes if he’s constantly coming across this frustrating pain and limitation. But still. Why fire his team?

Anyway, if it IS all elbow, then there’s no reason to expect a weakened Novak to return. You take time off a tennis elbow and rehab it properly, odds are very good you can come back 100%. Then, as with Fed and Rafa, he gets all this time to work on fitness and whatever skills he can manage.

It might take him some time to come back, as it did with Andy from back surgery, or he might come back like Rafa and Fed. But I think there’s a very good chance he will at least make a GS finals in 2018.

Eyes will definitely be on Andy over the summer. If he’s still hampered, it really narrows down the challengers for USO to Fed, Rafa and Stan.


SG1 Says:

Skeeze…

I prefer the Eastern and Semi-Western grips. No particular preference for either. Most players with great forehands have one of those two grips. I understand why there is this fascination with Western the grip. Tons of topspin. But, with today’s rackets, I don’t think you need anything more than Semi-western to generate loads of spin.

I’m a fan of teaching kids to play with an Eastern grip right out of the gate. I cringe when I see 13 year olds holding the racket like it’s a frying pan. Best forehands I’ve ever seen are Rogers, Lendl’s, Rafa’s, Agassi’s and Sampras’ forehands. Not a Western grip to be found among them.

Novak clearly has an excellent forehand but I think his shoulder and wrist problems are a function of a lot of matches and all that twisting of his elbow and shoulder shot after shot. The guys with the less extreme grips put a lot less strain on those small muscles.


SG1 Says:

Today’s rackets and strings actually…


SG1 Says:

I us a Eastern forehand grip and play a 95 sq.in. Stretch Prostaff 95 Hyper Carbon 5.0 (20 year old stick) with 17 gauge RPM blast and I can generate all the spin I need. My racket in the hands of a pro? Spin generation shouldn’t be any type of problem.


madmax Says:

Giles Says:
Geez! He’s not taking a leaf out of anybody’s book, he is merely following doctor’s advice/ orders.

July 26th, 2017 at 1:35 pm

Seriously Childs. Shut up. You know nothing except to irritate people with inane comments of mediocrity, and that’s at best. You think that Novak didn’t think about the enormous decision that Federer made last year? Really? You are inside his head, right?

Willow, I hear you. But really, it does not bother me. Novak, Andy, Federer, Rafa, all deserve, at different points in their careers huge accolades for bringing each other’s game forward. All 4 deserve that.

Federer most of all. He is a mean best. A mean beast.


Giles Says:

madmax. Did my post disturb your siesta? You can go back to sleep now and dream sweet dreams of your fed!


Giles Says:

PS. And do not tell me to shut up!!


skeezer Says:

SG1,
I go from Eastern to Semi West of the FH, depending on the moment. Gotch beat on the age racket, use the original POG, play with the exact same strings you use lol…..
Totally agree with the Western grips, especially with the kids. Low balls and Volleys are hard enough, but with that grip forget it. They have to switch their grips and the move is too radical. Only surface the full western has ( maybe ) an advantage is on ls on Clay.


skeezer Says:

SG1,
Remember when Continental was King? Ok……that goes way back…..


SG1 Says:

POG? Prince?

Yup. I do remember Mac doing pretty well with his Continental forehand grip.


SG1 Says:

But, I understand the change in grips from Continental to Eastern and beyond. It’s become a baseliners paradise out there. The Continental grip isn’t practical for today’s game.


SG1 Says:

Every once in a while, when I’m playing an approach shot I’ll mess with a Continental grip. Nice low hard shot but pretty much no margin for error.


Willow Says:

Madmax each to their own, but personally im enjoying a year with things being a bit more well contested, rather than soley been about just one player, and hoping Murray can get back into the mix ….


skeezer Says:

Use Prince Original Graphite OS.
Use the continental also on approach & volley. Now that BH slice…..ha!
Mac was the last guy to use the continental no? Newk I know was a big user of it.


skeezer Says:

SG1,
Have you ever tried to hit Rafa’s FH technique just for fun(buggy whip)?


Daniel Says:

Skeeze, used to use this same Prince racquet for some years. Now shifted to Wilson TX.

Fan of the continental grip myself, nothing better to hit heavy right in the face of the ball, flat. But I shift accordingly when playing on clay and depedning on my opponent as well to eastern FH.


skeezer Says:

I tried to change numerous times but always go back to the POG. They dropped the mike after they made that stick. Daniel what strings are you using?


Truth Says:

Djoker knows how to be focused and he doesn’t need to be a mean lying jerk, unlike Roddick and Fed.
His weakness is bowing down to the money thirsty people, and playing too much to please the precious media and so-called superheroic Fedalray.
Not everyone is as ‘perfect’ as Fedalray.

Nadal and Murray weren’t exactly charming either.
Lol at the bitter Fedal fans. Showing their true colors as usual.
They gloat about bad players just to ridicule Djoker.
Murray and Fedal can do what they want, but the Serb is “trash”.
Fedalray maniacs bashing Djoker domination and angrily throwing jealous tantrums at his fans.
Stop being insincere when Djoker has a real injury (not like the fake Fed and Nadal thigh, back and knee injuries since 2005).

Poor Roddick desperately wants to love his dad Fed. Fed couldn’t care less about this clown when he was a sadly overrated, money grubbing, abusive sycophant with a Mickey Mouse “job”.


Daniel Says:

Skeeze, luxilon 130.


madmax Says:

Willow,

I know what you mean. But we need some excitement on tour, and haven’t we just got that this year, with both the ‘resurgence’ of Fed, fighting through injury, and Rafa, the same.

When we look back on 2016, far from over, we will be able to remember this and one more important point. That Giles posts have not passed the basic literacy test nor improved on the mediocrity of their posts.


Giles Says:

https://twitter.com/yolitatennis/status/886612272088526848
Hey madmax, apologies if I’m disturbing your siesta, but can you explain this?


Willow Says:

Madmax you like Novak more than i do theres the difference, although im not a hater, just not a fan ….

Giles that link from Yolita is from a very biased Novak fan the one that used to post here ….


Willow Says:

However of the three GS this year, only one of them was what we could call a brilliant and exciting final, and that was the AO ….


madmax Says:

Willow,

I absolutely agree. I have watched the AO over and over again, and that match had all the hallmarks of brilliance, from both players. Hugely nerve wracking, especially in the final set. A great match and a great rivalry, continuing in our life time. We are so fortunate that is for certain. (Let’s wait for Childs to come back with something about a rivalry now).

Childs,

You are not disturbing my siesta at all, I fact, I think you must be going insane with having no one around to irritate, hence the reason you are stalking my posts. I would love to say that I am flattered, but actually, I think you need to get out more often.


Truth Says:

Obviously, the biased Fedal fans show their true colors on a Djoker thread.
They claim that Fed is the greatest because he lost many matches to Nadal and barely escaped matches against “one dimensional” players ranked as low as #100. No one else mattered.
Fed never lost a strong Slam (only Djoker did). Fed was just old and injured all the time since 2008. However, Fed is the one & only “longevity KING”.
Fed can only win when his hero Djoker is injured. His nemesis is Djoker, not Nadal.
There weren’t old age excuses for Nadal losses to Fed. Only excuses for Djoker beating Fraudal.


RZ Says:

Repeating myself here from previous threads, but I think this break will be good for Novak. He’ll finally have a chance to get over all the issues that have been there the last year and half. This would put him on the schedule to come back right before the Australian Open, which has been his most successful tournament. I would expect him to come back strong.


Truth Says:

Clownvic’s very stubborn. I doubt he’ll be mentally back in January.
He could barely physically play 2 years after making his arm sore in 2015.
How can he be emotionally in it when all he cares about are his precious sabotaging brother and guru?
He put his own son below the guru/Marko on the priority list because Jelena and friends were there for him.
Clownvic needs a psychologist 24/7.

Attention seeking Fedal floons will declare 2017-2018 as one of the best years of competition, if not the best, of all time. They rub their tiny hands together for double standards and unfairness, but they cry about unfairness with Serbs around.


rognadfan Says:

For Nolepanzies to bask on this great ‘performance’ act from Nole!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU1En8f3fwo&t=99s

And it’s just the casting there; later in that match Nole almost could not walk on the court, until Murray stumbled and rest is history.Who is the faker?
Credit to Murray though he managed to fall on that trap and lost the match quite easily after the fourth set injury drama from joker.

Similar, acting with delpo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEEFi6C469k.

Now tell all of those moves were genuine.

And Nolepanzies were barking at Monfils at USO last year for gamesmanship.

Then, against Wawrinka, he suffers “heavy bleeding” from toes with invisible blood, remember? That time didn’t work though.

As much of a living legend he is, among the game’s greats Djoker is the only one with such level of gamesmanship . And that’s what has imparted the enormous inferiority complex among the Nolepanzies. So much that many of them blind hate Fed and Rafa. Like the False-guy here at TX.


Berghain Says:

Depth of Mens tennis has been weak for some time now. With all respect to Fed, he has proven it. Djokovic just took advantage. Now Feds doing it.


chrisford1 Says:

The depth of men’s tennis right now is not exactly the same kind of “weak” as Roger enjoyed 2004-07. Right now it is excellent players with injuries, not just Djokovic, vs. the 2002-20 weak players period.


skeezer Says:

“The depth of men’s tennis right now is not exactly the same kind of “weak” as Roger enjoyed 2004-07″
Now the parameters for Mr. Weak Era has changed one again. lol……okeydokey.

‘The depth of men’s tennis right now is not exactly the same kind of “weak” as Roger enjoyed 2004-07.”
You mean the same weak era during Djokers supposed dominance when Fedal were injured?
At least there were no mental injuries……oh wait……Rafa. Okeydokey.
Such a loser argument.


Berghain Says:

CF1

“Right now it is excellent players with injuries”

that was funny CF1, isnt that an oxymoron?


Berghain Says:

Thats one way of looking at Novaks competition during his domination – “excellent players with injuries”
Haha


Truth Says:

Roddick was so excellent. He jealous raged at and physically taunted Djoker to uplift his idol Fed. What a coincidence.
It clearly was not something you expect from a real tennis player that was “really injured and sick” when the BIG 4 actually played tennis.
If you dig in to talk about fake and non-players, there was nowhere else to look…

Even Roddick’s mommy pulled his ear and dragged him off court when he tried to smack an opponent during junior tennis. Talk about inferiority.
No one forced anyone to pay Roddick.
Fed’s so-called rival Ddick couldn’t play tennis, so he begged for a lot of sponsor money and made pathetic tv commercials to ridicule himself with bitter unfunny jokes & false modesty.
He had fake Queen’s Club competition so he gloated like he was some kind of hero. In reality, his only real quality matches were in the worst matches in Dubai, Cincinnati and Miami where he received special treatment for being “associated with” Fed (not Djoker) and other abuse lovers.
Who else would say they hated the thought of playing Murray? LMAO
Djoker loved playing non-flukes and that angered Roddick.
Fed threw Ddick free bones but Roddick didn’t have talent to win with match points and Wimbledon leads. After all, he learned to be overrated like Fed.
Roddick was glorified for being a weak, pathetic, forgotten, injury excuse whining hypocrite and deceitful jealous lapdog.


Willow Says:

Madmax @ 9.37 am July 28th, great match , but im not overly fond of the AO, in fact i always go urgh when it comes around, as its not exactly been a happy hunting ground for either of my favorites over the years, its my least favorite GS TBH ….

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