US Open fears for Novak Djokovic as 38-year-old is forced to pull out of warmup event after worrying ‘fitness' remarks
The Serbian tennis superstar will head this month to New York – where he has been a four-time champion – with no singles prep time on the North American hard courts this summer.
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The sport's greatest player pulled out of the prestigious Ohio tournament, where he has been a winner on three occasions, citing a non-medical reason.
Should he play, he would take part in the US Open draw with his last singles appearance being in the Wimbledon semi-finals, where he was outclassed in three sets by eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
The 38-year-old is scheduled to play in the reimagined US Open Mixed Doubles tournament on August 19-20 alongside compatriot Olga Danilovic.
The singles first round of the last Slam of the year begins at Flushing Meadows on Sunday August 24.
Djokovic, who has been holidaying in a Greek resort with his family, has decided in recent years to prioritise the majors over the ATP Masters series.
Despite his advancing years, Djokovic has been very competitive this year, making the semi-finals of the three majors this calendar year.
Yet he admitted following that Sinner last-four 6-3 6-3 6-4 defeat on Centre Court that he now struggles to beat the Italian and Spain's two-time Wimbledon conqueror Carlos Alcaraz.
In a candid assessment, Djokovic said, "It's tough for me to accept because I feel like when I'm fresh, I can still play really good tennis. I've proven that this year.
"The longer the tournament goes, the worse the condition gets. I reached the semis of every slam this year but I've to play Sinner or Alcaraz.
"These guys are fit, young, sharp.
Novak Djokovic waves goodbye to Wimbledon crowd
"I feel like I'm going into the match with the tank half empty.
"It's just not possible to win a match like that."
The world No.6 is chasing Slam No.25, which would move him ahead of Margaret Court's 1973 record.
In May, a week after splitting with coach Andy Murray, he won the Geneva Open, which was his 100th tour-level title.
The Cincinnati Open runs from August 7-18.
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Djokovic's slam titles
Australian Open (10) - 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023
French Open (3) - 2016, 2021, 2023
Wimbledon (7) - 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
US Open (4) - 2011, 2015, 2018, 2023
And the US Open will begin on Sunday 24 August at Flushing Meadows in New York.
Sinner won the men's singles event last year, beating American Taylor Fritz in straight sets in the final.
Djokovic's last US Open title was in 2023.
That was the last slam title the Serbian star has lifted with Alcaraz and Sinner dominating in 2024 and 2025.
Djokovic also won in New York in 2011, 2015 and 2018.
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