World no one, Novak Djokovic was forced to retire during his quarter-final match against Feliciano Lopezin Dubai Tennis Championships.
Djokovic said ,“since he arrived to Dubai the infection started in his right eye but then presented in both eyes. It started with an infection and then severe allergy.”
The retirement from the quarter final also ended Djokovic’s run of making 17 successive Tour finals. He was one final away from tying Ivan Lendl’s Open era record of 18 straight in 1981-82. Djokovic has won the Dubai Championship four times previously.
Lopez will now face Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the semi-finals.
Since winning a sixth Australian Open title at the end of January, the Serb lost his opening service game and had to save three break points to avoid falling 3-0 behind.after that he called for his trainer, before continuing the match. Djokovic said he was unable to continue after lossing first set by 6-3.
Lopez said: “It’s very sad when one of the greatest players ever has to retire from a match like that”
Second-seeded Stan Wawrinka set up a semifinal with Nick Kyrgios, who is making Dubai debut, by beating eighth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5, 6-1.