Djokovic was forced to pull out of his quarterfinal against Thomas Berdych earlier this month due to an elbow injury. 

It continued a poor run of form in 2017, where he was dumped out the Australian Open in the second round, and failed to make the semi-finals of the French Open.

And now, the 12-time Grand Slam winner revealed he will miss the rest of the year - including the US Open - on advice of medical staff. 

"All the doctors I’ve consulted, and all the specialists I have visited, in Serbia and all over the world, have agreed that this injury requires rest," Djokovic said on his website.

"A prolonged break from the sport is inevitable. I’ll do whatever it takes to recover. I will use the upcoming period to strengthen my body and also to improve certain tennis elements that I have not been able to work on over the past years, due to a demanding schedule. 

"Five months may seem long from this point, but I’m sure they will pass quickly because there is so much I want to do. 

"Another important moment is coming, we will become parents for a second time. My wife Jelena and I are expecting our second child, and we are preparing to welcome a new family member. 

"These are things that fill me with greatest happiness and delight. I’m confident I will be ready for start of the new season."