Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and current world number six, has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open 2025, marking his second consecutive absence from an ATP Masters 1000 tournament. The 38-year-old Serbian will now head into the US Open later this month without any competitive warm-up events.
Djokovic’s withdrawal from Cincinnati follows his earlier decision to skip the Canadian Masters in Toronto, where he cited a groin injury. However, his team confirmed that the Cincinnati withdrawal is for non-medical reasons.
A strong Cincinnati legacy
Djokovic has enjoyed an illustrious record at the Cincinnati Masters, compiling 45 wins against 12 lossesin his career at the event. His last appearance at the Lindner Family Tennis Center came in 2023, when he produced a memorable comeback to defeat Carlos Alcarazin the final, saving a championship point to secure the title.
Despite his historical success, Djokovic’s 2025 season has been relatively limited. He has posted a 26-9 win-loss recordthis year and claimed his 100th tour-level title in Geneva in May. Since that milestone, the Serbian star has appeared in only two tournaments — Roland Garrosand Wimbledon — where he reached the semifinals on both occasions before falling to Jannik Sinner.
With his latest withdrawal, Djokovic’s next scheduled outing will be the US Open, starting August 24 in New York. He will pursue his 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would set an all-time record for the most major titles across men’s and women’s singles, matching Margaret Court’s legendary mark.
Sinner leads field in Djokovic’s absence
Djokovic’s withdrawal opens the door for the rest of the field at Cincinnati, led by 23-year-old Jannik Sinner, who will defend his 2024 title. Sinner is chasing his first Masters 1000 title of 2025, having already captured Wimbledon earlier this summer with a victory over Alcaraz.
Other key contenders include Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and Carlos Alcaraz, all of whom will aim to capitalize on Djokovic’s absence in the expanded tournament.
A revamped Cincinnati Open
The Cincinnati Open 2025 begins on Thursday and has been significantly upgraded this year. For the first time, the tournament will be played over two weeks with a 96-player draw, enhancing its status as a key Masters 1000 event ahead of the US Open.
In addition to format changes, the event has undergone a $260 million campus renovation, introducing new courts and improved facilities to elevate both the player and spectator experience. Tournament organizers expect the upgraded venue to attract record crowds, with the event concluding on August 18.
As Djokovic focuses on preparation for the US Open, his absence at Cincinnati shifts the spotlight to the next generation of stars, with Sinner, Alcaraz, and Zverev vying to claim the prestigious title. Tennis fans will now wait to see if the Serbian legend can achieve history in New York without the benefit of competitive match play beforehand.
Pic Credit (Instagram: Novak Djokovic)