Novak Djokovic suffers injury scare as treatment required for shoulder in US Open match

Novak Djokovic was in visible pain during his US Open second-round clash with Juan Ignacio Londero as he struggled with a shoulder issue.

At 3-3 in the first set, Djokovic signaled to the umpire that he needed the trainer and TV footage showed the Serbian grimacing after hitting a backhand.

Djokovic did hold onto his service to lead 4-3 and when the trainer came to treat him, he applied a cream to his upper left shoulder.

A medical time out was taken and Djokovic covered his mouth with his arm to avoid his conversations being captured.

Then TV graphics later showed a 5mph drop off in the speed of Djokovic’s groundstrokes on both sides.

In an interview with Sportklub prior to taking on Londero, Djokovic was quoted as saying he has been dealing with an issue for 10 days.

“I have a little problem. I won’t talk in which part of my body,” Djokovic said.

“It’s not the intimate part; it’s something else, standard. I have a little pain for ten days, it disturbs my rhythm from the baseline a little, and with the service, but it is much better than three or four days ago.

“I believe everything will be fine for the next match.”

Despite his problems, Djokovic was able to win the first set 6-4 and at the changeover between the first and second set, he received another massage from the trainer.

But Djokovic then hit three double faults on the way to dropping serve in the opening service game and he was broken again, allowing Londero to lead 3-0 early in the second set.

source: express.co.uk