Djokovic pulls out of Qatar Open, injury doubt for Australian Open

Former world No 1 Novak Djokovic withdrew from next week's Qatar Open Saturday and faces a race to be fit for the first grand slam of the year. The 30-year-old Serb had been scheduled to start the new season at an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi Friday when an elbow injury flared up. "Unfortunately, the situation with the elbow has not changed for better since [Friday]," Djokovic said in a statement.

So to sum up: Djokovic suddenly out again with elbow trouble, Murray perhaps in again after chronic hip trouble, Nadal/Wawrinka maybe still out with knee trouble. Federer, 36, sails on.

— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) December 29, 2017

"I still feel the pain. Therefore, I will have to withdraw from ATP tournament in Doha. "Only when I'm 100% ready to play, will I be able to come back. I hope it will be soon. I want to thank everyone for patience and understanding." The 12-time grand slam winner has not played since he was forced to retire against Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in July due to an elbow injury.

Novak Djokovic will drop to #14 (at best) after Doha, which means if he decides to play the #AusOpen he will be on the 13-16 seeding group. He would draw Nadal, Federer, Dimitrov or Zverev in R4.

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) December 31, 2017

Meanwhile Japan's Kei Nishikori has pulled out of next month's Sydney International, putting his comeback on hold from a wrist injury that has kept him out of action for more than four months. "Unfortunately Nishikori has withdrawn from #SydneyTennis. We wish him well and hope to see him in Sydney in 2019," the tournament organisers posted on Twitter Saturday. The withdrawals of Djokovic and Nishikori raise further doubts about their participation in the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 15.