Novak Djokovic twice cancelled his practise session at the US Open before eventually taking to court after 7.40pm local time to warm-up.
Djokovic was due to practise at Flushing Meadows at 5pm local time ahead of his night session match with Denis Kudla.
But the session with American Quinnton Vega was pushed back to 6pm then 7pm.
Express Sport witnessed Vega waiting for Djokovic for over 45mins before being spoken to and leaving the court.
Vega would then walk back onto court with Djokovic’s coaches Goran Ivanisevic and Marian Vajda and they waited around 10 minutes before Djokovic arrived.
Djokovic was given a warm welcome by the crowd, who had been waiting for him.
Djokovic is due to play Kudla after the all-American clash between Madison Keys and Sofia Kenin.
Speaking at 7pm US time, Amazon Prime pundit Greg Rusedski discussed Djokovic’s failure to practice throughout the day.
“Well it’s a little bit concerning, he had a 5o’clock practice court he didn’t show up, then he had a 7o’clock practice and didn’t show up as well. Hopefully he’s feeling okay,” he said.
“He said from having the scans that there’s nothing serious, but it’s obviously bothering him.
“He’s talked about it in the last few weeks, about how he was in a lot of pain and couldn’t serve, but fingers crossed he’s able to play tonight.”
