NEWS
US Open 2024: Novak Djokovic into third round after Laslo Djere retires with abdominal injury – ‘Not what we want’
Defending champion Novak Djokovic moved into the third round of the US Open after Laslo Djere was forced to retire with an abdominal injury.
Djokovic was two sets and a break to the good but it had been a tight battle for more than two hours in gruelling conditions on Arthur Ashe.
Up next for the 37-year-old is a clash with Australian 28th seed Alexei Popyrin. Novak Djokovic admitted nobody wants to see a player retire injured after he received a walkover into the third round when his compatriot Laslo Djere pulled out at the start of the third set because of an abdominal issue.
Djokovic led 6-4 6-4 2-0, but it had been a gruelling battle to that point as Djere pushed the defending champion to dig deep.