• ATP Tour

Djokovic out of China Open

ESPN staff
September 29, 2011
Novak Djokovic has been struggling with a back injury © PA Photos
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World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has pulled out of next week's China Open after failing to recover from a back injury.

Djokovic, who has won 64 of his 67 matches this season, first suffered the injury before the US Open, but aggravated the problem at the Davis Cup, where he was forced to retire from his match against Juan Martin del Potro.

"I won't risk the worsening of the injury and that's why it is hard to predict for how long I will rest," Djokovic said.

The Serb will hope to recover in time for the Shanghai Masters next month, which has already suffered the withdrawal of Roger Federer, who has pulled out in order to recover from "nagging injuries".

The injuries to Federer and Djokovic reignites concerns over the tennis calendar, and the potential absence of the pair in Shanghai will leave Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray to lead the planned players' meeting to discuss the scheduling problems.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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