Djokovic goes to sidelines for rest of the year

Novak Djokovic will give his injured right elbow a chance to heal by sitting out the rest of the 2017 season.

Djokovic will miss the U.S. Open, ending his streak of participating in 51 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, and aims to return to the ATP Tour in January.

He made the announcement Wednesday — exactly a year to the day after Roger Federer said he would be sidelined for the second half of last season.

“This is one of those injuries where nothing can really help instantly. You just have to allow natural rehabilitation to take its course,” Djokovic said. “Professionally, this is not, obviously, an easy decision for me.”

Since entering his first major tournament at the 2005 Australian Open, Djokovic has never missed one, the thirdlongest active run among men and seventh longest in history.

In that time, the 30-year-old Serb has won 12 Grand Slam titles, including the U.S. Open in 2011 and 2015. Only three men have won more major tennis singles championships: Federer (19), Rafael Nadal (15) and Pete Sampras (14).

“The remarkable series has come to an end,” Djokovic said. “My body has its limits, and I have to respect that and be grateful for all that I have achieved so far.”