Former number one Novak Djokovic on Saturday withdrew from next week's ATP event in Doha as his long-term elbow injury failed to improve after a recent flare-up.

The Serb has not played a match since Wimbledon six months ago and has been struggling with the problem ever since. His participation in the Australian Open starting on January 15 now looks to be in serious doubt.

Djokovic, now ranked 12th, broke his bad news to tournament officials: ‘Unfortunately, the situation with the elbow has not changed for better since yesterday. I still feel the pain. Therefore, I will have to withdraw from ATP tournament in Doha.

‘I am sorry that I will not be able to play in front of my fans here.

I have great memories of this tournament and the matches I played, like the final against Andy Murray from last year.

Related Story