Djokovic crashes out of Doubles in Rio, withdraws from Cincinnati

Published 08/09/2016, 1:01 PM EDT

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 Novak Djokovic’s woes continued as the World No.1 was bundled out of the Rio Olympics men’s doubles. The Serb suffered a second Olympic defeat in the space of 24 hours, exiting the men’s doubles with partner Nenad Zimonjic. The duo lost 6-4, 6-4 to Brazilian fourth seeds Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares. The result added to a series of upsets within Rio’s tennis event, including losses for two strong sibling pairings: Andy and Jamie Murray, and Serena and Venus Williams.

via Imago

Djokovic was back in action the day after he left the Olympic Tennis Centre in tears following his defeat to Juan Martin Del Potro in the singles, a loss he described as “one of the toughest” of his life. The Serb has won each of the Grand Slams, but Olympic gold has proven elusive so far, with a bronze in the singles from Beijing his sole podium finish at the Games.The opportunity to win one in the men’s doubles alongside Zimonjic went begging too, after the duo were brushed aside by the home favourites, seeded third, inside 73 minutes. However, with trademark determination, he was already thinking ahead to Tokyo, at which he’ll be 33, where he hopes to ‘have another shot at the medal’.

This does, however, put local heroes Soares and Melo in an excellent position ahead of the latter stages of the tournament, and the pair have a real chance now to win Brazil’s first ever Olympic tennis medal.They’ll face Horia Tecau and Florin Mergea of Romania in the quarter finals.

Also, following his loss on Monday, Djokovic confirmed that he will not be playing in the Cincinnati Masters due to a left-wrist injury.

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“I am very sad to announce that I won’t be able to play this year in Cincinnati at the Western and Southern Open,” said Djokovic, “I have a recurring injury that has taken its toll on my body due to a very busy and active schedule this year. I have played many matches and I have to take some rest in order to heal. I always have my hopes high on returning to Cincinnati and winning the only trophy I am missing in the Masters [1000] series.

 

Djokovic will not return to the tour until the end of August at the US Open in New York where he will be bidding to successfully defend his title  and win his 13th grand slam.

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Written by:

Satvik Jain

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