(Reuters) - Former world number one Novak Djokovic withdrew from next week's Qatar Open on Saturday and faces a race to be fit for the first grand slam of the year. The 30-year-old Serb had been scheduled to start the new season at an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi on Friday when an elbow injury flared up. "Unfortunately, the situation with the elbow has not changed for better since yesterday," Djokovic said in a statement. "Unfortunately Kei Nishikori has withdrawn from #SydneyTennis. The withdrawals of Djokovic and Nishikori raise further doubts about their participation in the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 15.

Source: The Star December 30, 2017 11:03 UTC