Djokovic's big opportunity in Cincinnati... and at the US Open?
After the withdrawals of Alcaraz and Sinner, the Serbian emerges as one of the favorites to win the title in Ohio, while the New York Grand Slam begins to appear on the horizon.
When no one expects it, the name of Novak Djokovic always reappears. The champion of 24 Grand Slams, after his semifinals at Wimbledon, seemed like he was going to hibernate until his next goal, the US Open 2026. While he confirmed his attendance at the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati a few weeks ago, the withdrawals of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner make the Serbian one of the favorites for the title in Ohio.
For the first time in several years, the Belgrade player will compete in a tournament of this caliber without the presence of the two best tennis players in the world. Given the physical doubts surrounding both, with the Spaniard's wrist and the Italian's knee, less than a month before the start of the US Open, the candidacy of the Balkan player begins to gain weight. In fact, since 1990 (the year the Masters 1000 were established), no player has won the US Open without playing in Canada or Cincinnati.
Carlos Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic.
One of the best sets you'll EVER see.
Enjoy...#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/YGKYUhRm1s— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 21, 2023
But before thinking about New York, it is time to focus on Cincinnati and the Masters 1000. It is a pending task for the Serbian who, despite having a total of forty titles of this category, has not lifted one since the Masters 1000 in Paris in 2023. In fact, in the last two and a half years, his best results have been the finals of Shanghai 2024 and Miami 2025. However, the rest of his appearances have ended in defeats in the second or third round.
While his consistency in the Grand Slams is exemplary, reaching the semifinals in seven of the last eight ‘Majors’, his inactivity and the lack of motivation regarding the Masters 1000, of which he has won all on more than one occasion, is an aspect to improve in this final stage of his career.
Novak Djokovic will arrive in Cincinnati as the favorite for the title
And with the absence of Alcaraz and Sinner, along with the possible physical and mental fatigue of the entire new generation of players who reached the quarterfinals in Canada, namely, Ben Shelton, Rafa Jódar, Learner Tien, Arthur Fils, Dani Mérida, Jakub Mensik, Luciano Darderi, and Brandon Nakashima, increases his chances of lifting his fourth title in Cincinnati significantly.
However, the Serbian prefers to proceed with caution. Since July 10, he has not played a match, and prolonged absences without playing are never beneficial. But if he gets the necessary rhythm and keeps advancing rounds, no one will doubt his options.
In fact, a hypothetical title in Ohio would make him arrive at the US Open brimming with confidence. Just as it happened in 2023, when he defeated Alcaraz in a memorable final and weeks later lifted the champion's trophy at Arthur Ashe. Perhaps that boost of confidence could be decisive, while Alcaraz and Sinner would arrive in New York without playing a match and with many doubts.
First Cincinnati and then the US Open Will this be Novak Djokovic's tour?
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La gran oportunidad de Djokovic en Cincinnati... y ¿en el US Open?