Borna Coric is set to miss at least two months of the tour as he undergoes surgery on his right knee according to multiple Croatian sources.
The 19-year-old has been struggling with the injury since his withdrawal from the US Open. Following his exit from New York, Coric was unable to train for three weeks and was visibly struggling in his Davis Cup match against Richard Gasquet last weekend.
Coric’s initial diagnoses was inflammation in the knee, however, a more recent scan has discovered a more serious issue. According to Croatian sports newspaper Sportske Novosti, the world No.42 has two bones that are irritating the tendon in his knee and the only way to resolve the problem is by surgery. Coric is set to undergo the operation next Tuesday in Zagreb followed by an estimated two-month rehabilitation period.
Due to the procedure, Coric’s chances of playing in the Davis Cup final are slim, which will get underway on November 25th. Team captain, Željko Krajan, has also admitted that Coric’s chances are small, however, he is remaining positive.
“I think it is still too early, I would not automatically write off Borna.” Krajan told Sportske Novosti.
“To my knowledge he will try his best to recover by the end of November. How will all of this flow, we don’t know, but it is hoped that all is not lost.”
In the wake of Coric’s Davis Cup uncertainty, Krajan has revealed that he will once again try to persuade Ivo Karlovic to end his boycott of the event. The 37-year-old hasn’t played in the competition since 2012 and has been engaged in heated arguments with the Croatian Tennis Federation throughout his career. Krajan believes that Karlovic’s inclusion in November could finally end the hostilities between the two parties.
“I will call him. I hope that the answer will be different than before. I believe there is a chance. Each point is going to be very important and there is no room for resentment. Now is the ideal moment for this story to finally end.“ He said.
As officials mull a potential replacement in the Davis Cup, the timing of the injury couldn’t have come at a worst time for Coric. Earlier this week it was announced that Ivica Ancic has become his new coach after he parted ways with Miles Maclagan. Ancic is the brother of former top 10 player Mario Ancic and worked with him during part of his career.
