Tennis fans were left stunned as Novak Djokovic made a shock announcement to withdraw from the Cincinnati Open, fuelling speculation about a potential injury just weeks before the US Open.
The Serbian star, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, was set to compete in the ATP Masters 1000 event but cited undisclosed reasons for his sudden exit. This unexpected move has raised serious questions about his fitness ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year.
US Open Participation in Doubt
With the US Open set to begin on August 28, Djokovic's abrupt withdrawal has sent shockwaves through the tennis world. The 36-year-old has been a dominant force in New York, winning three titles at Flushing Meadows, but his absence in Cincinnati suggests he may not be at full strength.
"This is certainly concerning timing," said former British No. 1 Tim Henman. "The Cincinnati Open is traditionally the perfect warm-up for the US Open, and for Novak to miss it suggests something isn't quite right."
History of Injury Concerns
Djokovic has battled various injuries throughout his career, most notably with his elbow which required surgery in 2018. While the nature of his current issue remains unclear, his team has yet to provide detailed clarification.
The tennis world now waits anxiously for updates, with many wondering if this could impact what many expected to be another thrilling Djokovic-Alcaraz showdown in New York.
