Djokovic decided to skip the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters 1000

After winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, Novak Djokovic decided to skip the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters 1000. While the forfeit in Canada was widely predictable, the forfeit in the tournament in Ohio – where he would have had to defend the title – was more surprising.Novak Djokovic© Maja Hitij / Staff Getty Images Sport

The former world number 1 will be at the US Open without having played any preparation tournament, a risky choice since he will have to defend his title in New York. The 24-time Grand Slam champion spent a lot of physical and mental energy during his run in Paris, managing to play his best tennis right in the final against Carlos Alcaraz.

Novak had been dreaming of winning the gold medal at the Olympics for a long time and it will not be easy for him to find other motivation after achieving yet another memorable feat. The 37-year-old from Belgrade could lose second place in the ATP ranking if Alcaraz reaches at least the quarterfinals in Cincinnati.

Before the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Serbian champion had a hard time expressing himself at his best. Djokovic had not won any titles in the first part of the season and suffered several shocking defeats. The knee surgery during the French Open seemed to have further sunk his ambitions, before reaching the final at the Wimbledon Championships and being beaten by Alcaraz on Centre Court.

Nole will return to the US Open

Novak Djokovic’s decision not to play in the Cincinnati Masters 1000 surprised many fans. Everyone believed that Nole would play at least one tournament on the hard court before the 2024 US Open.

In a recent interview with Tennis Channel, former ATP ace Sam Querrey opened up on Djokovic’s decision: “Yeah, not surprising at all. I mean the emotion that spewed out of him after that gold medal, anyone needs five to six weeks to recover rom that type of emotion, so no surprise here. But I expect him to be ready to go at the US Open and honestly I feel like he’s gonna be at the US Open just playing with house money. He’s accomplished everything there is to accomplish. I think he’s gonna be relaxed, kind of as loose as ever. He’s gonna be even more dangerous in New York.”

Doubts about Nole Djokovic were many before the Paris Olympics, but the Serbian legend shocked everyone for the umpteenth time. The former world number 1 has given everything to Paris: “Winning in the semis relieved some pressure as I already knew I had a secured medal, but I aimed for gold. I was up against the best player in the world currently, a great person with remarkable values, and a player whom I am convinced will win the Olympic gold in the future. I had to elevate my game significantly, and I succeeded. I couldn’t be happier; the feeling I experienced when winning the match is unlike any other in my career.”

He continued: “I know I have already won all the major tournaments, but I still love this sport, I enjoy competing, training day in and day out, striving to improve, and taking care of my body. Tennis means a lot to me, and I give my utmost to give back to this sport everything it has given me. I don’t know what the future holds; for now, it’s time to celebrate.”

Djokovic is a true legend

Novak will certainly be one of the favourites at the 2024 US Open, a tournament that has not always brought him luck during his legendary career. The Serbian would have completed the Calendar Grand Slam in 2021 by winning in New York, but was defeated by a great Daniil Medvedev in the final.

In the latest edition of his podcast, American Andy Roddick praised Nole: “I will be short of words to express my respect for Novak and his entire career. He was physically compromised all year, and he said during the off-season last year that he would take a gold medal rather than any tournament in 2024, and I believe it. I think a lot of people say that because they feel compelled to, but Novak is sincere because it was the only hole in his resume. The only thing you can get for anyone other than Novak is an Olympic gold medal.”Novak Djokovic© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill

Novak’s next goal will be to win his 25th Grand Slam title and break Margaret Court’s all-time record. The 37-year-old from Belgrade will try to do this already at the US Open in late August. Meanwhile, Nole has announced that he will be playing in Shanghai again this year.