Novak Djokovic will not defend his Doha title next year and straight away kick-start his 2018 campaign at the prestigious Australian Open.

The Serbian tennis star hasn’t competed since pulling out of his quarter-final match against Tomas Berdych at this year’s Wimbledon due to an elbow injury.

Djokovic graced his presence at a basketball game in Athens, where he gave an update on his injury.

“The elbow is fine but since it involves bone, it is a slow process, it takes some time,” the 30-year-old said before confirming that he won’t feature in any of the events heading into the season-opening Grand Slam Down Under.

The ATP 250 event in Doha is scheduled to begin on January 1, while the Australian Open kicks off on January 15.