Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from this month’s Cincinnati Open.
The tournament begins on Monday August 12, eight days on from Djokovic’s victory in the Olympic men’s singles gold medal match in Paris, and the “quick turnaround” was cited as a reason for the world No 2’s absence.
Djokovic’s decision means he will forfeit the 1000 ranking points he gained for winning the tournament in 2023, all but guaranteeing that he will drop to No 3 in the world behind current No 3 Carlos Alcaraz and world No 1 Jannik Sinner. Sinner is currently defending 1000 points of his own in Montreal, after winning the National Bank Open in 2023.
“We certainly understand that it is a quick turnaround from his Olympic triumph to come to Cincinnati,” said tournament director Bob Moran. “His title run here last year was so memorable. We are eager to see him on court again soon.”
Djokovic finally claimed the Olympic gold medal that has eluded by beating Alcaraz last Sunday. The match was a repeat of their Wimbledon final in July, which Alcaraz won handsomely in straight sets.
That was Djokovic’s first tournament win of the year, having been forced to pull out of the French Open after tearing the medial meniscus in his right knee.
Cincinnati will miss our defending champion 💔
We can’t to see more shirt rips in the future! pic.twitter.com/W3WKMO2adj
— Cincinnati Open (@CincyTennis) August 8, 2024
He also missed the Masters 1000 events in Miami and Madrid, as he seeks to balance coming into Grand Slam tournaments both fit and with match practice.
His absence at Cincinnati means no possible rematch of last year’s final, in which he triumphed over Alcaraz in one of the best 1000-level men’s finals in recent history.
Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard will replace Djokovic in the main draw.
GO DEEPER
Novak Djokovic knew he would win Olympic gold – he just didn’t know when
(Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
