Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open ahead of the US Open 2025, where he targets a record 25th Grand Slam title. The Serbian star hasn’t played any competitive tennis since Wimbledon 2025.
A tournament spokesperson confirmed his absence before the ATP Masters 1000 event starts this Thursday. As reported by The Athletic, it’s Djokovic’s second straight withdrawal from the Cincinnati Open. He has previously won the tournament three times.
Djokovic Skips Match Practice, Stays Focused on Flushing Meadows
Djokovic, 38, last played a non-Slam event at the Geneva Open in May, which he won. He then entered Roland-Garros, where his run ended in the semi-finals. Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1, defeated him in straight sets.
History repeated at Wimbledon. Sinner again beat Djokovic in the last four. It was another tough loss for the Serbian.
“I would be sad, but hopefully it’s not my last match on the Centre Court,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference.
“I’m not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today. So I’m planning to come back, definitely at least one more time, to play on Centre Court. I’m so fresh off the court, it’s hard to put things in a larger perspective and say what the plan is for the next few months or a year.”
Djokovic hasn’t won a Grand Slam since the US Open 2023, where he claimed his 24th major. At Wimbledon 2024, he lost the final to Carlos Alcaraz for the second year in a row.
Djokovic Targets Sinner and Alcaraz’s Slam Streak
Djokovic has won the US Open four times—in 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023. But last year, he faced a shock third-round exit to Alexei Popyrin. That was his earliest US Open loss since 2006.
Now, he aims to break the recent dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz. Together, the two young stars have shared the last seven Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic also skipped the Canadian Open last week. His absence, along with Sinner and Alcaraz, drew disappointment from fans and officials. Off the court, Djokovic invested in French club Le Mans, alongside several Formula 1 drivers.
The US Open 2025 begins on Sunday, August 24 and ends Sunday, September 7. All eyes will be on Novak Djokovic’s quest for Grand Slam No. 25.
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