Novak Djokovic could miss this year's US Open with an elbow injury after one of his doctors suggested that he could be sidelined for up to 12 weeks.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion was forced to retire during his Wimbledon quarter-final with Tomas Berdych earlier this month, and later revealed that he had been struggling with pain in his right elbow for more than 18 months.
Serbian doctor Zdenko Milinkovic has been treating Djokovic for the injury, and he estimated that the former world number one will miss six to 12 weeks of action - ruling him out of the US Open which begins on August 28.
"Nole must rest for six to 12 weeks. The next examination will know whether this assessment stays or changes," Milinkovic told Sportski Zurnal, a sports newspaper in Serbia.
"During this period, he will not train with a racket but he will run other sessions, such as fitness and the like. Of course there will be certain therapies.
"The symptoms have calmed down, he was with a specialist at Toronto for additional tests. He also consulted our experts of course because we are great friends. Now it's important to rest with different types of procedures that can affect recovery. Surgery remains the last option."
Djokovic, who is a two-time champion at Flushing Meadows, has played in the last 51 consecutive Grand Slams.
