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How Roger Federer influenced Novak Djokovic’s decision to take time off

By Blaine Grisak

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand during the Gentlemen's Singles quarter final match against Tomas Berdych of The Czech Republic on day nine of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand during the Gentlemen's Singles quarter final match against Tomas Berdych of The Czech Republic on day nine of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Novak Djokovic decided to take the rest of 2017 off. Here’s how Roger Federer’s successful year affected Djokovic’s decision. 

Prior to the 2017 season, it seemed odd for a top player to take a substantial amount of time off for anything. Aside from Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray had stayed healthy throughout their careers.

That all changed last year at Wimbledon. Federer re-tweaked an injured knee in a semi-final loss against Milos Raonic and from then on, the avalanche continued to fall.

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Djokovic has cited an elbow injury that he has been suffering from for over a year and half. Murray is also working on recovering from a hip. If he’s smart, he’ll take time off, but as of now, he is slated to play in Toronto and Cincinnati to prepare for the U.S. Open.

Djokovic’s elbow injury forced him to retire in a major, something he hasn’t done since early in his career. It’s an injury which will take twelve weeks to heal, much too long for him to return for the US Open. Therefore, he has pulled out of the rest of 2017 ATP World Tour.

Him stepping away, however, may not be a bad thing.

After Federer was injured in Wimbledon last year, he took off the rest of season and played just five singles matches leading up to the Australian Open. There, he shocked the world by winning his 19th career major.

The 19-time men’s singles major champion went on to also win at Miami and Indian Wells. Despite such a good stretch, Federer took off the clay season, giving it to Nadal, to stay healthy for his favorite stretch of the year on the grass. After once again taking time off to preserve his health, Federer won Wimbledon, and did so without losing a single set.

It’s no doubt that Djokovic took notice. Federer has been the story of the 2017 ATP World Tour. With no chance at taking the number one ranking, it may prove to be smart for him to take off the rest of the year. He can start preparing for 2018 and the Australian Open, his favorite slam.

Next: Andy Murray: rehabbing, preparing for US Open

Prior to the injury, Djokovic had made eight of nine grand slam finals. Since then, he’s made it past the quarterfinals once. After playing a long, grueling schedule, starting a family, and then getting hurt, a break may not just help him physically, but also mentally. 2017 may be the year of Roger and Rafa, but with a healthy Djokovic, “The Joker” could be back in full force in 2018 at Melbourne.

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