Djokovic withdraws from Cincinnati Open

World number six and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic withdrew from the Cincinnati Open on Monday, tournament organisers announced.

The 38-year-old Serbian, who has reached three Grand Slam semifinals so far in 2025, was scheduled to make his first hard-court appearance since his semifinal defeat at Wimbledon in July. Djokovic cited “non-medical reasons” for his withdrawal, indicating a choice to skip the Masters 1000 event.

Djokovic’s team did not immediately provide further details on his decision. The former world number one had struggled physically during the latter stages at Wimbledon, where he was hampered by a fall in the quarterfinals against Flavio Cobolli.

“The longer the tournament goes, the worse the condition gets.”

He subsequently lost in straight sets in the semifinals to Italy’s Jannik Sinner, raising concerns about his fitness and recovery. After Wimbledon, Djokovic described the extended best-of-five format as an increasing challenge, admitting, “The longer the tournament goes, the worse the condition gets.”

The Cincinnati Open, a key event in the US hard-court swing, was seen as an important opportunity for Djokovic to regain form after a lengthy break since Wimbledon. Instead, his withdrawal follows his earlier decision to skip the Canadian Masters in Toronto, citing a groin injury, marking two consecutive missed ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.

The mixed doubles as a warm-up to the US Open?

Djokovic has not played a competitive match since July 11 and is set to enter the US Open with his longest layoff before a major in recent years. This cautious scheduling comes after a surprise early defeat at last year’s US Open, where he lost in the third round to Alexei Popyrin by a score of 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Reflecting on the changing landscape and his physical realities after Wimbledon, Djokovic said, “As much as I’m taking care of [my body], the reality hits me right now, last year and a half, like never before.”

There is no confirmation yet on whether Djokovic will participate in any exhibition or warm-up matches before the US Open mixed doubles event with Olga Danilovic, which debuts in a new format prior to the singles draw later this month.

The 2025 US Open is scheduled from Sunday, August 24th to Sunday, September 7th, with the mixed doubles event held earlier during the US Open Fan Week from Tuesday, August 19 to Wednesday, August 20. This eventwill feature 16 teams competing for a $1 million winner’s prize.

Djokovic is pursuing his 25th Grand Slam title, which would set an all-time record for men’s and women’s singles combined, tying the record currently held by Margaret Court on the women’s side.