Novak Djokovic forgoes Cincinnati tournament, stirs speculation prior to US Open appearance
Novak Djokovic, the current world No. 1, has withdrawn from the 2025 Cincinnati Masters, citing a non-medical reason. This decision follows his absence in the Canadian Open (Toronto), where he officially cited a groin injury. Djokovic's last outing was a semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon on July 11.
The implications of this withdrawal for Djokovic’s pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title at the US Open are significant. He will enter the US Open without any hard-court tournament preparation for about a month and a half, which could affect his match readiness. Djokovic has historically been very successful at the US Open, having won it four times, most recently in 2023, which is also his last Grand Slam victory. However, lack of competitive matches before such a major tournament may pose a challenge for him.
Djokovic currently sits sixth in the ATP rankings with 4,130 points. Missing Cincinnati, where he has no points to defend, still risks a further drop in ranking if others gain points. His absence from the two big pre-US Open tournaments (Canada and Cincinnati) is partly why his ranking may slip ahead of the US Open.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz, who has won Slams on grass, clay, and hard court, is making his mark in the tennis world. Sinner and Alcaraz, who also skipped Toronto, are competing in the Cincinnati Masters. Alcaraz has a record of 29 wins and 7 losses in 2025, having already clinched titles at Indian Wells and the Olympics.
Djokovic, on the other hand, seems to be pacing himself, growing more selective with his calendar, prioritizing longevity over grind. His decision to withdraw from Cincinnati might be seen as part of this strategy.
The Cincinnati Masters men's draw includes Zverev, Medvedev, and Rublev, among others. The race for supremacy in tennis heads into the final Slam of the year with high stakes. The U.S. Open begins on Aug. 25. Djokovic will head into the tournament without playing a match in over a month, adding uncertainty to his chances.
Djokovic's withdrawal from the Cincinnati Masters is not entirely unexpected, given his history of careful calendar management. However, his absence from North America's hard-court warmups could potentially impact his performance at the US Open. Only time will tell if Djokovic's strategy pays off, as he chases a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
The absence of Novak Djokovic from the Cincinnati Masters has raised questions about his preparation for the upcoming US Open, a significant Grand Slam tournament in the world of sports, particularly tennis. This decision comes after his missed appearance at the Canadian Open and semifinal loss at Wimdedon.
In the meantime, rising tennis stars like Carlos Alcaraz, who have already clinched titles on different court types, continue to make their mark on the world sports stage. Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who also opted out of the Toronto tournament, are actively competing in the Cincinnati Masters this season.
