LONDON - Andy Murray’s chances of playing at the US Open next month appear to be improving, but Novak Djokovic is set to miss out.
Djokovic’s doctor on Monday said that the 30-year-old Serb could require three months’ rest for his elbow problem, but Murray is already into rehab work on his troublesome hip.
The Scot is still said to be planning to play at Flushing Meadows, despite joining Djokovic in departing Wimbledon on the injured list when he hobbled out in the quarter-finals against Sam Querrey.
There was still no official comment from his camp yesterday, but Murray last night seemed to reinforce the idea that he is on his way back when he posted a video on Instagram of him gently hitting against a practice wall.
Which opponent has no weakness, never misses and has never lost? #thewall 💯
A post shared by Andy Murray (@andymurray) on Jul 24, 2017 at 12:02pm PDT
He has also posted a picture of himself at a swimming pool with his physio, Shane Annun.
Whether the Scot, who continues to hold the world No 1 position, will be back for next month’s Canadian Open is not yet confirmed. After that he is due to play in the Cincinnati Masters before heading to New York.
Serbian media reported on Monday that Djokovic’s doctor, Zdenko Milinkovic, as saying that the twice US Open winner has a bone bruise. He was forced to retire during his Wimbledon quarter-final against Tomas Berdych.
"He will have to rest for six to 12 weeks, and then we are going to see," said Milinkovic, who added that Djokovic had been to Toronto for specialist advice. "The symptoms are calming down. Now with various procedures it can affect his recovery. Surgery is the last option."
With the US Open five weeks away, Djokovic would appear certain to miss out.