Novak Djokovic is likely to miss next month’s Shanghai Masters due to the back injury he incurred at the weekend.
Djokovic’s epic US Open final with Rafael Nadal ended with both players on the brink of physical exhaustion but the effort took it’s toll on the skinny Serb and he broke down while trying to rescue Serbia in their Davis Cup semi-final.
In comparison, the robust physique of Nadal stood up well to the rigours of Davis Cup, just four days after he lost his US Open crown. Nadal took his disappointment out on the French team, crushing Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet to secure Spain’s place in the final.
With Serbia trailing 2-1 to Argentina, Djokovic returned for the reverse singles against Juan Martin Del Potro but lasted little more than a set before retiring with a torn back muscle.
Djokovic’s recovery will probably take three to six weeks and he will almost certainly miss the China Open in Beijing and the Shanghai Masters.
