Break point for Novak

NOVAK DJOKOVIC has quit tennis until the end of the year in a bid to sort out the elbow problem that drove him out of Wimbledon.

The 12-time Grand Slam winner chose the anniversary of Roger Federer’s similar decision last year to make his own announcement via a live Facebook event from Belgrade.

The Serb, 30, revealed the bruised elbow that forced him to withdraw from his quarterfinal with Tomas Berdych at SW19 had been troubling him for 18 months and doctors have said the only cure is rest.

It means he will not be at the US Open next month – the first time he has missed a Grand Slam event in 51 tournaments, stretching back to the 2005 Australian Open.

“My body has its limits and I have to respect that,” said Djokovic. “This decision had to be made. Wimbledon was probably the toughest for me in terms of feeling the pain that has escalated. I will use the upcoming period to strengthen my body and also to improve certain tennis elements I have been unable to work on over the past years.

“Another important moment is coming, my wife Jelena and I are expecting our second child. These are things that fill me with the greatest happiness and delight. I’m confident I will be ready for the start of the new season.

“Now I have time to build the foundations for the next five years or more. I want to play tennis for years to come.”

Djokovic also confirmed new coach Andre Agassi, who joined him on a temporary basis before the French Open, will remain part of his entourage going into 2018.

Andy Murray has posted pictures of himself rehabilitating his hip injury in the pool and hitting the ball against a wall – encouraging signs for the hard-court season ahead. PAIN GAME: Djokovic has treatment on his troublesome elbow at Wimbledon