Novak Djokovic reveals wrist injury concern, set sights on ATP Finals berth (AP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Djokovic lost a crucial singles match in the Laver Cup
- He is racing against time to qualify for ATP Finals
- Djokovic did not play the hard-court swing in North America
Novak Djokovic revealed he was hampered by a wrist problem during the Laver Cup campaign in London and that not having played consistently on the tour has had an impact on his game in the recent past.
Novak Djokovic returned to competitive action in the Laver Cup for the first time since he won the Wimbledon title in July. The Serb missed the hard-court season in North America and was not able to compete in the US Open 2022 due to his unvaccinated status.
Djokovic looked in good form on the opening day, beating Frances Tiafoe in the singles match and combined with Matteo Berrettini for another win in doubles. However, he lost a crucial singles match to Felix Auger-Aliassime as Team Europe lost the Laver Cup to Team World.
“I have been struggling with my right wrist for the last four, five days, to be honest. I have been keeping it under control,” Djokovic told reporters.
“The two matches yesterday probably had an effect. Today was not easy. I couldn’t serve as fast or as accurately as I would like to. That has affected the whole game.
“Could be not playing matches almost three months, and then conditions here are such that the balls are really big and slow.
“You always have to generate a lot of wrist action and speed, which could be the case why I have been feeling soreness.”
Djokovic said qualifying for November’s ATP Finals in Turin remained his goal and that he will play a tournament in Tel Aviv this week followed by an event in Kazakhstan next week and then the Paris Masters at the end of October.
Novak Djokovic is currently not in the top 10 in the race to the ATP Finals.
