World number six and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic officially withdrew from the 2025 Cincinnati Open on August 4, tournament directors confirmed. This marks the second straight year he has skipped the Ohio Masters, where he entered in 2024 as defending champion following his Paris Olympics triumph.
Withdrawal labeled “non‑medical,” signals fitness caution
According to officials, the reason listed for Djokovic’s withdrawal is “non‑medical”, suggesting a calculated rest rather than ongoing injury. The Serbian had announced earlier in the week that he would also miss the Toronto Masters citing a groin issue.
Djokovic last competed on July 11, when he lost a straight-sets Wimbledon semifinal to eventual champion Jannik Sinner—just two days after describing a “nasty, awkward” fall during his quarterfinal that required treatment on his upper left leg.
“The longer the tournament goes, the worse the condition gets,” Djokovic admitted during Wimbledon, raising doubts about his ability to handle extended matches.
A risky strategy ahead of New York
By skipping both major warm-up events in Canada and Cincinnati, Djokovic is now headed into the U.S. Open solo, with over 45 days of inactivity and no hard-court tune-up. The U.S. Open begins on August 24, where Djokovic will aim to add a record 25th major title.
Despite the lack of match practice, the decision is risk-neutral ranking-wise: Djokovic has no points to defend at Cincinnati this year, so his ATP ranking will remain stable. ([El País / AS]
Implications for Djokovic and the men’s draw
- Physical management: At age 38, Djokovic is adopting a selective schedule—mirroring last year’s slump—prioritizing recovery over sharpness.
- Match rhythm concerns: Without competitive matches, the extended layoff may affect timing, decision-making, and movement in pressure situations.
- U.S. Open projection: His path in New York is now uncertain—while his Slam pedigree is unmatched, younger challengers like Sinner or Alcaraz could expose lack of match rhythm.
Final Thoughts
Djokovic’s Cincinnati withdrawal is a defined strategic risk. For the first time this century he enters a Slam without warm-up in North America—a move that could save his body or leave him undercooked. As challengers eye his throne, all eyes will be on how he manages physical resilience versus competitive readiness in pursuit of tennis history.
