Novak Djokovic’s shoulder was too sore to go on.
The world’s top-ranked player was forced to retire in the second set yesterday, ending a streak of 16 straight wins and giving Andy Murray the championship at the Western & Southern Open.
Djokovic’s record stands at 57-2 during his remarkable 2011 season. His only other loss came in the semifinals against Roger Federer at Roland Garros. Now, he’s got eight days to rest his ailing right shoulder and get ready for the last grand slam event of the season.
“I’m confident I can recover and be ready for the U.S. Open,” he said.
The U.S. Open is slated to begin Aug. 29.
