Novak Djokovic is set to miss the US Open after one of his doctors indicated he will need six to 12 weeks to recover from an elbow injury.
But Andy Murray’s chances of playing at Flushing Meadows would appear more positive, with the Scot continuing his rehabilitation from a hip problem.
The last grand slam of the year starts in just under five weeks on August 28, meaning Djokovic will run out of time if the latest assessment is correct.
The 12-time major champion was forced to retire injured during his Wimbledon quarter-final against Tomas Berdych earlier this month and said after the match he had been feeling pain in his right elbow for over a year and a half.
He has since been seeking advice from specialists, including Serbian doctor Zdenko Milinkovic, who said Djokovic is suffering from a “bruised bone due to excessive playing”.
If Djokovic does sit out the trip to New York, it will end his run of 51 consecutive appearances at grand slams and mean dropping further down the world rankings.
He is currently placed fourth but is already due to slip to fifth when the list updates on Monday.
Murray’s Wimbledon hopes were also hampered by injury as he limped to a five-set defeat against American Sam Querrey.
The world number one, however, looks to be feeling more positive about his troublesome hip after posting an Instagram video on Monday of him hitting balls against a practice wall.
The 30-year-old also posted a photo last week of himself and his physio Shane Annun during a rehab session at a swimming pool. Murray is due to play at the Canadian Open, which starts on August 7, and then the Cincinnati Masters before the start of the US Open.
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