Fatigued, Novak Djokovic pulls out of Davis Cup tie against India
NEW YORK – Serbia must defeat India in a Davis Cup in Bangalore this weekend to remain in the prestigious World Group in 2014.
But they'll have to do it without Novak Djokovic.
The world No. 1, who meekly bowed out to Kei Nishikori in the U.S. Open semi-finals Saturday and was a shadow of his usual self throughout the U.S. summer hard-court season, has bailed out of this weekend's playoff tie, citing "fatigue."
It's not much of a surprise to anyone, even though he's hardly the only player who went deep into the U.S. Open who is scheduled to play Davis Cup this weekend. Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka will host Italy in Geneva, and finalist Marin Cilic, who plays Monday evening in New York, is part of the Croatian contingent that will face the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
Serbian captain Bogdan Obradovic said he spoke to Djokovic Sunday night and was informed that the main reason was "fatigue" although Djokovic also wants to spend time with new wife Jelena Ristic, who is very pregnant with the couple's first child.
The Serbian team, once a powerhouse, is a little undermanned these days. Perennial No. 2 Janko Tipsarevic hasn't played in nearly a year; he's currently rehabbing after undergoing surgery for plantar fascitis in May. Viktor Troicki, once world No. 12, is coming back from a one-year doping suspension (for refusing to take a blood test) and is playing a Challenger in Banja Luka, Bosnia this week.
Even Djokovic's younger brother Marko isn't available; he received a wild card into the Banja Luka Challenger and although he lost in the first round, he's still alive in the doubles.
That leaves Dusan Lajovic (No. 61) and Filip Krajinovic (No. 107) as the likely singles players, with Davis Cup veteran Iliya Bozoljac as a possibility. Veteran doubles star Nenad Zimonjic gives Serbia at least a shot at the doubles rubber, regardless of whom he partners up with.
It may be enough. India's best singles players at the moment are Somdev Devvarman (ranked No. 144) and Yuki Bhambri (ranked No. 153). The projected doubles tandem of Leander Paes (a last-minute addition) and Rohan Bopanna will be tough to beat, though.
"I have mixed feelings (about Djokovic not playing). It would have been sweet had the World No.1 been here. It would have been good for tennis and the fans. Obviously, our chances are a lot better with him not playing," Devvarman told the Indian news service.
There's no doubt that the Indian tennis fans were looking forward to a first-hand look at the world No. 1 this weekend and that had to have spurred ticket sales. So from that standpoint it has to be extremely disappointing.
But again, not much of a surprise.
