CINCINNATI – Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from this week’s ATP Cincinnati Masters, marking a year to the day since his Paris Olympic gold medal triumph. Tournament officials confirmed the news to The Athletic, meaning the 38-year-old Serbian star will enter the US Open without any match play since his Wimbledon semifinal defeat to Jannik Sinner three weeks ago.
Like Djokovic, world No. 1 Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz also opted to skip the ongoing ATP Toronto Masters to recover after Wimbledon. Sinner has already arrived in Cincinnati, where he was seen practicing over the weekend. On Monday, he and his team shared a lighthearted golf course selfie on social media, signaling his relaxed preparation ahead of the tournament.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, has a storied history at the Cincinnati Masters, having first competed there in 2005. Despite reaching the final five times, he only secured the title in 2018, 2020, and most recently in 2023. His absence this year raises questions about his readiness for the upcoming US Open, where he will aim to add to his record-breaking major tally.
With Djokovic out of contention, the focus in Cincinnati shifts to Sinner and Alcaraz, who are expected to be among the top contenders. The tournament serves as a crucial tune-up before the final Grand Slam of the year, which begins on August 26 in New York. Fans will now wait to see if Djokovic’s limited match play affects his US Open campaign.