In a concerning development for tennis fans, Novak Djokovic has encountered an injury scare just days before defending his title at the US Open. The Serbian star was forced to cut short a training session with fellow player Holger Rune on Friday after experiencing discomfort while practicing at Flushing Meadows.

The incident occurred during what was intended to be a rigorous final preparation session on the courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Djokovic, who was practicing with Rune, had to halt the session and receive treatment, leading to speculation and concern among spectators and media. The sudden departure of Djokovic and Rune, who left the court after approximately 30 minutes, left fans disappointed, despite Rune’s efforts to lift spirits by interacting with the crowd.

Reports indicate that Djokovic experienced the issue while on a smaller training court with Rune. Although the exact nature of the injury remains unclear, the abrupt end to the practice session has raised questions about the four-time US Open champion’s fitness leading up to the tournament.

Djokovic, who claimed his fourth US Open title and 24th Grand Slam last year with a victory over Daniil Medvedev, is scheduled to begin his 2024 campaign against Moldova’s Radu Albot. His potential second-round opponents include Jan-Lennard Struff or Laslo Djere, with Alexei Popyrin likely to be his third-round challenger if he progresses.

Despite this setback, Djokovic remains a strong contender for the title. His recent successes include winning his maiden Olympic gold medal in Paris and capturing the French Open title. However, the injury scare adds an element of uncertainty to his bid for a fifth US Open title.

As the US Open approaches, fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring Djokovic’s condition. The tournament is set to showcase a number of top players, including French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, who is a favorite to win his second US Open. Alcaraz will begin his campaign against Australia’s Li Tu, while top seed Jannik Sinner faces Mackenzie McDonald.

The tennis world will be watching closely to see how Djokovic’s injury situation unfolds and whether it will impact his performance at one of the sport’s most prestigious events.