A niggling elbow injury has forced former world number one Novak Djokovic to withdraw from next week’s Qatar Open, casting doubt on his participation at the Australian Open in mid-January.
Qatar is the second tournament Djokovic has pulled out in as many days due to the injury.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion was top seed in Doha, but in a statement he said he would not be able to defend the title he won by beating Andy Murray last year.
His withdrawal comes just 24 hours after the injury forced him to drop out of an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi.
“Unfortunately, the situation with the elbow has not changed for the better since yesterday,” said Djokovic.
“I still feel the pain. Therefore, I will have to withdraw from (the) ATP tournament in Doha.”
The Serb added: “Only when I’m 100 per cent ready to play, I will be able to come back.
“I hope it will be soon. I want to thank everyone for patience and understanding.”
The latest announcement raises fresh doubts over the long-term future of the 30-year-old and more immediately his availability for the first Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open, which begins on January 15.
In recent years, Djokovic has used the Qatar tournament as valuable warm-up for the Australian Open.
