Tennis sensation Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open for a “non-medical” reason, meaning he’ll enter the US Open without having played a match since mid-July.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t competed since losing in the Wimbledon semi-finals to eventual champion Jannik Sinner on July 11.
That straight-set defeat against Sinner at the All England Club came two days after the 38-year-old Djokovic took what he described as a “nasty” and “awkward” fall in the last game of his quarter-final victory.
Djokovic, the world No.6, clearly was compromised against Sinner and unable to move at his best; he received treatment on his upper left leg from a trainer.
Djokovic’s withdrawal from Cincinnati follows his decision to sit out the Toronto Masters that concludes this week. He cited a groin injury for that absence.
His previous event before Wimbledon was the French Open, where he also lost to Sinner in the semi-finals.
Djokovic will have no hard-court tournament preparation before the US Open singles competition begins on August 24.
He has won four championships at Flushing Meadows, most recently in 2023 – his most recent Grand Slam trophy.