Tennis star Novak Djokovic withdraws from Cincinnati tournament, heads directly to New York.
Novak Djokovic Withdraws from US Open Preparation Tournaments
World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Masters and the National Bank Open, citing a non-medical reason, although reports suggest a lingering groin injury from Wimbledon may be a factor.
Djokovic's withdrawal follows his absence in Toronto, where he cited a groin injury, and he has not played a competitive match since his Wimbledon semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner on July 11, 2025.
The Serbian star suffered a "nasty" and "awkward" fall during the final game of his quarter-final victory at Wimbledon, which compromised his movement and performance in the semifinals against Sinner. Although he has not publicly detailed the injury, he acknowledged not being able to move as well as hoped during that match and has received treatment on his upper left leg.
Djokovic's absence from the key North American hard-court Masters 1000 tournaments means he will enter the 2025 US Open without any match play on hard courts in the lead-up. This lack of tournament preparation is unusual for Djokovic, who is a four-time US Open champion, including a win in 2023.
Despite his absence from the warm-up tournaments, Djokovic remains a top contender for the US Open. His experience and practice will likely play a significant role in his preparation for the Grand Slam event, which begins on August 24, 2025.
Djokovic has won the US Open four times in his career, with his most recent victory coming in 2023. His withdrawal from the Cincinnati Masters and the National Bank Open means he will start the US Open without having played a tournament in a month and a half.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion will be hoping to add to his impressive tally of titles at Flushing Meadows, but the lack of match play on hard courts may impact his form and readiness for the tournament. Only time will tell if Djokovic can overcome the obstacles and claim another US Open title.
References:
- AP News
- BBC Sport
- ESPN
- Sky Sports
- Tennis World USA
Novak Djokovic might need to delve into the arts of strategy and mental fortitude to compensate for his lack of sports preparation, as he withdraws from key tournaments and hasn't played a match since Wimbledon. The usual tennis sensation on the hard courts of the US Open, Djokovic may face unexpected challenges in his quest to add yet another title to his list, given his absence from tournament play in over a month.
