Tag: Novak Djokovic

Unvaccinated Djokovic to miss US Open

PARIS, France (AFP) – Former men’s world number one Novak Djokovic said he will not play in the US Open which begins on Monday as Covid protocols mean he cannot travel to the United States. It is the second Grand Slam the 35-year-old Serb will miss due to not being vaccinated as he was deported prior to the Australian Open earlier this year. “Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time […]

Djokovic-led Serbia down Austria in Davis Cup opener

Novak Djokovic sped past Austria’s Dennis Novak as Serbia thumped Austria 3-0 in their Davis Cup opening match at Innsbruck on Friday. Djokovic took an hour to beat Novak 6-3, 6-2 after Dusan Lajovic saw off Gerald Melzer 7-6, 3-6, 7-5 behind closed doors due to a resurgence of the coronavirus in Austria. Nikola Cacic and Filip Krajinovic then beat Oliver Marach and Philipp Oswald 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Djokovic is attempting to end an already […]

Djokovic advances as Serena pulls out in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI, United States (AFP) — World number one Novak Djokovic got his US Open build up off to a smooth start with a straight-sets win in Cincinnati on Tuesday as back trouble forced Serena Williams to withdraw. Defending champion Djokovic double faulted three times as he dropped serve in the opening game against Sam Querrey but quickly put things right and pulled away for a 7-5, 6-1 victory over the American. “I ended the match […]

Djokovic and Biles win Laureus sports people of year awards

by Pirate IRWIN Agence France-Presse MONACO, Principality of Monaco (AFP) — Novak Djokovic’s stupendous comeback from injury last year which saw him win two Grand Slam titles earned him the Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award on Monday at a lavish ceremony. The 31-year-old Serbian — who added the Australian Open in January to the Wimbledon and US Open crowns he won in 2018 after coming back from elbow surgery — won the award for […]

Federer ‘shocked’, Djokovic ‘hurt’ by Murray retirement bombshell

by Daniel HICKS Agence France Presse MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Roger Federer admitted Sunday he was shocked that tennis was to lose “legend” Andy Murray this year while long-time friend Novak Djokovic said the bombshell news had “hurt” him. Both paid tribute to the former world number one on the eve of the year’s first Grand Slam with Federer adding that the Scot should be “incredibly proud” of what he had achieved. Murray on Friday […]

Djokovic thrashes Murray in Open practice match

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — World number one Novak Djokovic exposed Andy Murray’s frailties in a practice match ahead of the Australian Open on Thursday, with the Scot calling it a day while losing 6-1, 4-1. Three-time major winner Murray is on the comeback trail after missing 11 months with a hip injury which has seen him slump to 230 in the world. He was bundled out of the Brisbane International warm-up last week in round […]

Djokovic and Halep top seeds at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — World number ones Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep were named top seeds on Thursday for next week’s Australian Open, with 23-time major winner Serena Williams lurking at 16 on the women’s side. Djokovic heads long-time rival Rafael Nadal and defending champion Roger Federer, with young-gun Alexander Zverev seeded four as he targets a maiden Grand Slam title. The Serbian world number one is aiming to make history by claiming a record […]

No sweat! Djokovic admits 2018 US Open toughest mission

by Dave JAMES Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Novak Djokovic believes that the man who lifts the US Open trophy on Sunday will have truly earned the mantle of champion, describing the hot and steamy 2018 tournament as the “toughest” he has encountered. Djokovic, the winner in 2011 and 2015, faces Kei Nishikori in Friday’s semi-finals, his 11th successive appearance in the last-four. An eighth final is within reach and to achieve […]

Djokovic to face Nishikori in 11th US Open semi-final

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Two-time champion Novak Djokovic ended John Millman’s fairytale US Open run on Wednesday, beating the 55th-ranked Australian in straight sets to book a semi-final clash with Kei Nishikori. The Serbian star, who ended a 54-week title drought with his 13th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, defeated the tenacious Aussie 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach his 11th US Open semi-final in his last 11 appearances. He lifted the trophy in […]

Tennis: Djokovic staggers past Monfils in draining win

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Six-time champion Novak Djokovic survived a brutal fitness examination to overcome Gael Monfils in intense heat and stagger into the third round at the Australian Open on Thursday. Djokovic stretched his unbeaten record over Monfils to 15-0, one of the longest at Tour level, after dropping the opening set but just managed to get to the finish line. He just did enough at the end to carve out a 4-6, 6-3, […]

Tennis: Injured Nishikori out of Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) – Japanese star Kei Nishikori pulled out of the Australian Open Thursday, saying he was not ready for best of five set matches as he struggles to overcome a long-standing wrist injury. The Asian number one has not played competitively since last August after suffering a torn tendon in his right wrist during a practice session at Cincinnati. “I am very sorry to announce that I will miss the Aussie Open this year,” he said […]

Djokovic picks new format for Australian Open warm-up

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Former world number one Novak Djokovic will warm up for a tilt at a record seventh Australian Open crown by playing in an innovative quickfire event at the Melbourne venue. Djokovic, who has been sidelined since July with a right elbow injury, is making his long-awaited return to the game at an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi from December 28-30. The Serbian world number 12 and volatile Australian Nick Kyrgios will […]