26 Feb 2016

Djokovic pulls oput of Dubai tournament

8:58 am on 26 February 2016

Novak Djokovic pulled out of his Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-final after suffering an eye problem.

Novak Djokovic celebrates winning a point.

Novak Djokovic celebrates winning a point. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The world number one had lost the first set against Spain's Feliciano Lopez when he decided to retire, the day after achieving his 700th career win.

Djokovic had earlier been treated by his trainer during the first set, after having dropped his serve.

After losing his serve again to concede the set 6-3, making 18 unforced errors, he decided not to continue, denying him the chance of reaching an 18th successive ATP Tour final.

The Serb said he had the eye infection since arriving in Dubai, "it started with an infection and severe allergy and has got worse in the last two days, it is the first time I've had such a problem with the eye and unfortunetly it was ultra senstitive today with the light and so I apologose to everyone for having to retire."

It ends an amazing run of 17 consecutive finals and seven successive titles for the Serb. He was chasing a fifth Dubai title in 8 years.

Lopez now meets Marcos Baghdatis in the semi-finals for the right to meet Nick Kyrgios or Stan Wawrinka in the final.