In a move that has sent ripples through the tennis world, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has withdrawn from the 2025 Cincinnati Open, opting to enter the US Open without any competitive hard-court preparation. The announcement, made on August 4, 2025, marks the second consecutive year that the Serbian legend has skipped the ATP Masters 1000 event, where he is a three-time champion (2018, 2020, 2023). With no matches played since his Wimbledon semifinal loss on July 11, Djokovic’s decision to forgo both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open means he will arrive at Flushing Meadows with a 44-day competitive gap, a bold strategy for a 38-year-old chasing a record-breaking 25th major title.
Djokovic’s withdrawal from Cincinnati, officially listed as a “non-medical” reason, follows a grueling 2025 season that saw him reach the semifinals of all three majors—Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon—only to be halted by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner each time. His most recent outing at Wimbledon was marred by physical struggles, exacerbated by a “nasty” and “awkward” fall in his quarterfinal win over Flavio Cobolli. “The longer the tournament goes, the worse the condition gets,” Djokovic admitted after his straight-set loss to Sinner, a 3-6, 3-6, 4-6 defeat that exposed his physical limitations. “I feel like I’m going into the match with the tank half empty. It’s just not possible to win a match like that.” The 38-year-old, candid about the toll of best-of-five-set matches, cited age and wear-and-tear as factors, despite his confidence in his ability to compete when fresh.
The Cincinnati Open, where Djokovic triumphed in a thrilling 2023 final against Carlos Alcaraz—lasting three hours and 49 minutes—was a cornerstone of his preparation for his 2023 US Open title, his fourth at Flushing Meadows. This year, however, his absence joins a string of high-profile withdrawals, including Jack Draper, Alexander Bublik, and Matteo Berrettini, all sidelined by injuries. Tournament director Bob Moran expressed understanding, noting, “We certainly understand that it is a quick turnaround from his Olympic triumph to come to Cincinnati. His title run here last year was so memorable. We are eager to see him on court again soon.” The withdrawal hands a main-draw spot to Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, while the tournament still boasts stars like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Coco Gauff.
Djokovic’s minimalist approach to scheduling is not new. In 2025, he skipped the Italian Open after an early Madrid Open exit and played the Geneva Open, where he won his 100th career title, to build rhythm before Roland Garros. His decision to skip both North American Masters events this summer mirrors last year’s strategy, when he withdrew from Cincinnati after clinching Olympic gold in Paris, defeating Alcaraz in a dramatic 7-6(3), 7-6(2) final. That victory completed his Golden Slam, making him only the fifth player to win all four majors and an Olympic singles title. Despite a lack of hard-court preparation last year, he reached the third round at the US Open, falling to Alexei Popyrin in his earliest exit there since 2006.
The Serbian’s choice to conserve energy may be strategic, given his storied history on hard courts, with 10 Australian Open titles and four US Open crowns. However, entering the US Open—starting August 24—without recent match play raises questions about his readiness against younger, fitter rivals like Sinner and Alcaraz, who have dominated 2025. Sinner’s consistency and Alcaraz’s recent French Open and Wimbledon titles make them formidable threats. “Sinner and Alcaraz are levels better than anyone right now,” Djokovic acknowledged, a nod to the challenge awaiting him in New York.
Djokovic’s next confirmed appearance is in the US Open’s revamped mixed doubles event, where he and compatriot Olga Danilovic received a wildcard for the 16-team draw on August 19–20. This high-stakes, $1 million-prize event could serve as a low-pressure tune-up, though its best-of-three format differs from the grueling singles competition. Off the court, Djokovic has been enjoying downtime, recently sharing a lighthearted TikTok video dancing to Bruno Mars in Greece, suggesting he’s in good spirits despite physical challenges.
As the tennis world awaits his return, Djokovic’s withdrawal fuels speculation about his fitness and strategy. Will his rest pay off with a fifth US Open title, or will the lack of match sharpness prove costly? With a career defined by resilience, Djokovic’s gamble to prioritize recovery over preparation sets the stage for a dramatic Flushing Meadows campaign.
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