Janko Tipsarevic can't seem to catch a break from an injury. The Serb returned to the tour earlier this year after being sidelined with a foot injury for seventeen months, one that threatened to end his career. After two operations to remove a benign tumor, that took away '80% of his sole', the 31 year old finally made a comeback in Miami, playing in doubles with countryman Novak Djokovic.
Tipsarevic posted the news on Facebook, having decided to undergo surgery on the knee that has been troubling him over the last few months. 'One more fight to win...After more then 3 mounts of problems,my team and me decided that I should undergo a surgical procedure for my right knee...It has been a tough period but I will overcome it and come back stronger then before.Thank you for your support.'
Since his return to action, the former world number eight has played ten matches, losing seven of them. It was unlikely that the Serb would have made a significant impact this year after such a long absence, but another setback will certainly not help his return to the ATP Tour. Tipsarevic is currently 393rd in the rankings, and that number is only going to drop for the time being.
ATP tour veteran Tipsarevic has won four ATP titles in his career, and has two notable wins over the world number one, defeating compatriot Novak Djokovic twice. The 31 year old's best performance at a slam was reaching the US Open quarterfinal, which he achieved twice, in 2011 and 2012. He also helped lead Serbia to victory in the 2010 Davis Cup.
Knee injuries are common on the tour, and can take a while to recover, so it's not good news for the Serb. However, if he can display the same resilience he had to comeback from his career-threatening heel injury, Tipsarevic could defy the odds again. He appears optimistic yet cautious as he continues his long wait for injury-free form.