adminPARIS. – Reigning US Open tennis champion Stan Wawrinka will miss his title defence to have knee surgery, the world number four announced yesterday.
The three-time Grand Slam champion had already pulled out of the upcoming ATP tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati, and joins last year’s US Open runner-up Novak Djokovic on the sidelines for the rest of the season.
“This was the only solution to make sure I will be able to compete at the top level for many more years,” the Swiss said in a statement on Facebook.
“This is obviously extremely disappointing, but I’m already looking ahead and planning my recovery.
“I love this sport and I will work hard to get back to my top level and play many more years.
“I will see you all in 2018!”
The 32-year-old Wawrinka, like Djokovic, will be hoping the time off can help him come back revitalised after a difficult month that included a first-round exit at Wimbledon.
On Thursday, Wawrinka admitted that the knee injury had hampered him during that shock defeat to unseeded Russian Daniil Medvedev in London. – AFP.
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