Bangalore: World No 1 Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Davis Cup tie against India owing to fatigue and family commitments, Serbian captain Bogdan Obradovic informed on Monday.
“I spoke to Djokovic last night and he said he will not be coming to India. The reason for this being fatigue,” he told reporters here. Besides fatigue, Djokovic has also sought to spend some time with wife Jelena, who is expecting their first child.
The 27-year-old Serbian, who was defeated by 10th seeded Kei Nishikori in the US Open semifinals, is likely to be replaced by Ilija Bozoljac in the Davis Cup World Group playoff tie.
The 179th-ranked Bozoljac, who played the Challenger circuit in India in February, is Serbia’s reserve player and is in already in the city.
Serbia has also named 61st ranked Dusan Lajovic, 108th ranked Filip Krajinovic and doubles specialist Nenad Zimonjic for the tie. Zimonjic is expected to reach Bangalore on Monday.
Meanwhile, for India, Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri will play singles, while veteran star Leander Paes is set to combine with Rohan Bopanna for the doubles rubber.
The inclusion of 41-year-old Paes in the side means that Saketh Myneni, who made his Davis Cup debut against Chinese Taipei early this year, will miss out.