Djokovic not sure about US Open after Olympics nightmare

World no. 1 Novak Djokovic said he was “not sure” about his fitness for the US Open after pulling out of the Tokyo Olympics mixed doubles bronze medal match with a shoulder injury on Saturday.

The 34-year-old Serb could become the first man to complete a calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969 when the US Open gets under way in August.

The withdrawal in Tokyo came after the 20-time major champion lost his cool on his way to a surprise 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 defeat against Pablo Carreno Busta in the Olympics singles bronze-medal match.

He admitted that his exertions in Japan have taken their toll but he still hopes to be fit enough to challenge at Flushing Meadows.

“The consequences physically hopefully will not create a problem for me for the US Open, but that’s something that I’m not sure about right now,” said Djokovic.

“But I’m not regretting for giving it all because at the end of the day, when you play for your country, that’s necessary.”

Djokovic had been eyeing two gold medals when he played the singles and mixed doubles semi-finals on Friday, but less than 24 hours after his hopes for gold were ended, he was preparing to leave the Ariake Tennis Park without a medal of any colour.

The Serbian sporting icon’s best result at the Olympics remains his bronze medal in Beijing in 2008. His next opportunity to win an Olympic title will come in Paris when he will be 37.

“I know that I will bounce back. I will try to keep going for Paris Olympic Games and fight for my country to win medals,” insisted Djokovic.