Belgrade, January 30, 2025 – Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from Serbia’s squad ahead of the Davis Cup qualifiers against Denmark, set to begin on January 31.
This decision comes as Djokovic continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained during the Australian Open, where he was forced to retire in the semifinals against Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, reported experiencing significant pain during his semifinal match, which ultimately led to his withdrawal. He revealed that he had suffered a muscle tear in his left leg, stating, “Towards the end of that first set, I just started feeling more and more pain.
It was too much to handle for me at the moment. Following medical assessments, it has been indicated that he may be sidelined for approximately two months, raising concerns about his participation in upcoming tournaments such as the Sunshine Double and potentially the French Open.
With Djokovic’s absence, Serbia will be without its star player as they aim to defend their title in the Davis Cup. The team will now consist of Miomir Kecmanovic, Hamad Medjedovic, Laslo Djere, and doubles specialists Matej and Ivan Sabanov. Serbia’s captain, Viktor Troicki, acknowledged the challenges posed by Djokovic’s withdrawal but expressed confidence in his team’s abilities.
We are weakened by not playing Novak, but we are still going for the win, Troicki stated. He also noted that Denmark features a strong player in Holger Rune, making the tie even more competitive.
As Serbia prepares for its first-round qualifying tie against Denmark in Copenhagen, questions remain about how Djokovic’s absence will affect their chances of success.
The Serbian team will need to rally together to overcome this setback and secure a victory without their top player.
Djokovic’s recovery will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike as he aims to return to competitive play in time for major tournaments later this year.
The tennis community is hopeful for his swift recovery and return to form as he continues his pursuit of an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title.