Novak Djokovic withdraws from Cincinnati Open, prepares for U.S. Open without match play
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Aug 05, 2025, 23:43 IST
( Image credit : IANS )
Highlight of the story: Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to non-medical reasons, foregoing crucial match preparation before the U.S. Open. This decision follows his earlier withdrawal from the Toronto Masters because of a groin injury. Despite limited recent play and a semifinal loss at Wimbledon, the defending champion aims to contend for another title in New York.
Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the upcoming Cincinnati Open for what officials described Monday as a “non-medical” reason, leaving the 24-time Grand Slam champion without any match preparation ahead of the U.S. Open later this month.
Djokovic, 38, has not played since his straight-set semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon on July 11. That defeat came just two days after Djokovic suffered what he called a “nasty” and “awkward” fall during his quarterfinal win, an incident that appeared to affect his movement and required on-court treatment for his upper left leg.
His withdrawal from Cincinnati follows his earlier decision to skip the Toronto Masters due to a groin injury. With those two key tune-ups off the table, Djokovic will enter the U.S. Open — set to begin Aug. 26 in New York — without any competitive hard-court matches since his 2023 title run at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic has not publicly commented on the Cincinnati withdrawal. The tournament’s official statement cited “non-medical” reasons, but did not elaborate.
The Serbian star’s recent Grand Slam record includes a semifinal exit at the French Open, also at the hands of Sinner, and his Wimbledon campaign was derailed after the quarterfinal injury.
Djokovic is a four-time U.S. Open champion, with his most recent title coming in 2023. Despite his age and limited recent match play, he remains among the favorites to contend for the title in New York, where he has reached the final 10 times in his career.
With his absence in Cincinnati, Djokovic will rely solely on training to prepare for the year’s final major. The U.S. Open men’s singles draw will be released in the week prior to the tournament, at which point his potential path to a 25th Grand Slam title will become clear.
The Cincinnati Open, officially known as the Western & Southern Open, runs from Aug. 11–18. It serves as one of the final key events of the ATP hard-court season and typically features top contenders ahead of the U.S. Open.
Djokovic’s next expected appearance remains the U.S. Open, pending confirmation from his team or tournament officials.
Djokovic, 38, has not played since his straight-set semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon on July 11. That defeat came just two days after Djokovic suffered what he called a “nasty” and “awkward” fall during his quarterfinal win, an incident that appeared to affect his movement and required on-court treatment for his upper left leg.
His withdrawal from Cincinnati follows his earlier decision to skip the Toronto Masters due to a groin injury. With those two key tune-ups off the table, Djokovic will enter the U.S. Open — set to begin Aug. 26 in New York — without any competitive hard-court matches since his 2023 title run at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic has not publicly commented on the Cincinnati withdrawal. The tournament’s official statement cited “non-medical” reasons, but did not elaborate.
The Serbian star’s recent Grand Slam record includes a semifinal exit at the French Open, also at the hands of Sinner, and his Wimbledon campaign was derailed after the quarterfinal injury.
Djokovic is a four-time U.S. Open champion, with his most recent title coming in 2023. Despite his age and limited recent match play, he remains among the favorites to contend for the title in New York, where he has reached the final 10 times in his career.
With his absence in Cincinnati, Djokovic will rely solely on training to prepare for the year’s final major. The U.S. Open men’s singles draw will be released in the week prior to the tournament, at which point his potential path to a 25th Grand Slam title will become clear.
The Cincinnati Open, officially known as the Western & Southern Open, runs from Aug. 11–18. It serves as one of the final key events of the ATP hard-court season and typically features top contenders ahead of the U.S. Open.
Djokovic’s next expected appearance remains the U.S. Open, pending confirmation from his team or tournament officials.