Injured Djokovic shapes new US Open betting markets

LAST year’s US Open Men’s finalist is all but out of this year’s tournament after succumbing to an elbow injury that has dogged his 2017.

The former world number one’s examining doctor, Zdeslav Milinkovic, claims the persistent elbow injury that Djokovic has attempted to play through this year has become so bad that he will require 6-12 weeks of rest, but will likely avoid needing surgery, claiming he is a one per cent chance to play in the year’s final major.

#Djokovic to miss #USOpen 99%, 6-12 weeks rest needed, says Serbian doctor who examined him. Source: @Sportski_Zurnal, Vojin Velickovic. https://t.co/QzD4IjxdMi

— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) July 24, 2017

That one percent doubt has led Sportbet.com.au to leave the two-time champion at Flushing Meadows in the betting market on the third line of betting (+800).

Roger Federer remains the +188 favourite across most bookmakers to win his third slam title this season, while French Open champion Rafael Nadal is on the second line of betting at the +350 via Crownbet.com.au.

Since losing to Novak Djokovic in 2014 Wimbledon final, Roger Federer has won 40 Grand Slam matches in a row from a set up.

— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) July 16, 2017

Milinkovic, who is the Serbian Davis Cup doctor, claims Djokovic will speak for himself in the coming days, but does not believe it would be in his best interests to compete in the final grand slam tournament of the year.

“The most important thing is that Novak is at the moment calm and recovering successfully,” Milinkovic said.

“The minimum will be paused for six weeks, and it is possible that the recovery will last for 12 weeks.

“Djokovic will announce on Wednesday a plan for the next period. He goes to therapy and can train, but without a racquet.”

The ATP tour rankings ramifications are severe for Djokovic too.

https://twitter.com/sambarkersport/status/889472500563927041

If the Serb misses the US Open as expected he will fall outside the top-five, and could potentially be outside the top-ten at the end of the year if he struggles to get back to full fitness.

Andy Murray a strong chance to play at Flushing Meadows

While it is bad news on the injury front for Djokovic, fellow former US Open champion Andy Murray looks set to take to the court in New York after the Scot stepped up his rehabilitation following a hip injury.

The 2012 US Open champion – who is a +550 via Crownbet.com.au to take out the 2017 title – shared a video on Instagram that suggested he may be further along in the rehab stage than predicted after he was forced to retire from his quarter-finals against Sam Querrey at Wimbledon.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW8LkBLFCbm/

The experts are not as convinced Murray will take to the court in just over a month’s time.

Giles Stafford, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon specialising in sports-related hip disorders described the Scot’s chances of playing at Flushing Meadows as no better than “50-50”.

“I almost wanted to cry for him. He was collapsing off the serve. He couldn’t push off on the right at all,” he said.

“Obviously his movement was terrible, and as a result of that he couldn’t push off his legs so his shots didn’t have any penetration. And he was clearly in pain.”

Stafford believes if Murray is unable to play in the US Open surgery will be the most likely option, which could rule him out of action for up to six months.