Novak Djokovic pulled out of the ongoing US Open Grand Slam tournament this morning due to a shoulder injury, relinquishing his fourth-round tie to the opponent, Stanislas Wawrinka.
The 32-year-old Serbian World Number One tennis player, already two sets down stopped the game as near-certain defeat loomed.
The 16-time Grand Slam winner had been battling with shoulder injury this week, and he would succumb to the same injury with the match almost lost against a dominant Wawrinka who was ahead 6-4 7-5 2-0.
Roger Federer’s compatriot, Stan Wawrinka has now defeated Djokovic four times at a Grand Slam tournament, the last two at the US Open.
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Djokovic’s decision to quit drew the ire of the 23,000-strong crowd who booed the tournament’s defending champion on court, and they got louder as he walked off it.
However, Djokovic, a tennis player known for his resilience, had been battling with the shoulder injury from the first round. He endured excruciating pain to win his second round tie Juan Lodeiro, needing on-court treatment thrice.
Although he had a straightforward third round tie, the pace of the game against the dynamic Wawrinka was too much for shoulder pain suppressed with painkillers.
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“It is very frustrating. Of course it hurts that I had to retire,” the Serbian started. “You just know when you know, when you feel like you’re not able to hit the shots anymore.”
He was booed by the crowd in the arena.
“I’m sorry for the crowd. Obviously they came to see a full match, and just wasn’t to be. I mean, a lot of people didn’t know what’s happening, so you cannot blame them,” he said while reacting to the crowd’s disposition.
Novak Djokovic, fresh from claiming the Wimbledon title, was tipped to win his 17th major tournament at Flushing Meadows, but his exit opens the prospect of a Roger Federer swansong or a 19th Grand Slam win for Rafael Nadal.
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Photo credit: Reuters
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