Boris Becker, the three-time Wimbledon winner who now coaches Novak Djokovic, will miss the ATP Miami Masters to undergo double hip surgery.
The 46-year-old German was due to join Djokovic's team for the hardcourt event but begged off last weekend as his Serbian client won the Indian Wells title over Roger Federer.
Djokovic revealed the situation on Thursday prior to his Friday start at Crandon Park and was hoping that Becker would be back onside for the Monte Carlo tournament that starts in just over three weeks.
"He's unable to travel. He has surgery of his both hips today and tomorrow, so that's unfortunate. He couldn't come," Djokovic said.
"In the finals of Indian Wells he called us and said that he had an emergency and he has to operate both hips."
Despite the seriousness of the procedure, Djokovic optimistically expects that his mentor might be back in record time next month for European clay.
"He's going to be in Monte Carlo and the schedule for the tournaments that he committed before the start of the season, he will be there unless his health doesn't allow him.
"Of course, in these particular situations you can't do much about it. If he has to operate his hips, he cannot move, cannot walk unfortunately. It has been something that he has been carrying for many years already.
"If he is able, he's going to be in Monte Carlo. Everything stays the same."
