• ATP Tour

Djokovic expects no injury problems in US Open

ESPN staff
August 22, 2011
Novak Djokovic receives treatment on his injured shoulder © Getty Images
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World No. 1 Novak Djokovic believes he will be fit in time for the start of the US Open after succumbing to a shoulder injury in the final of the Western and Southern Open against Briton Andy Murray.

Djokovic has been in frightening form in 2011, claiming nine ATP Tour titles already, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon. But with the final grand slam of the year now only a week away, the Serbian allayed any fears he would be unable to compete in New York.

"The good thing is that there is a week, eight days to the start of the US Open," he said. "So I think that's enough time for me to get ready."

Djokovic received treatment on his right shoulder at the end of the first set in the decider against Murray but was forced off the court just three games later when the pain became too great.

"I really tried," he said. "It didn't make sense for me to continue. I was generally exhausted playing many matches, but the exhaustion is not the reason. The reason is shoulder pain. I just could not serve.

"I served an average 90 miles per hour the first serve, and I could not play forehands. I could have maybe played another couple of games, but what for? I cannot beat a player like Murray today with one stroke."

"I've played so many matches this year. I've been winning a lot and reaching the final stages of each event that I've participated in. Considering the schedule that is very busy in tennis, it's kind of normal to expect that at some stage you are exhausted. But as I said, I am confident that I can recover and be ready for US Open."

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