Organisers of the Cincinnati Open on Monday confirmed that three-time champion Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from this year’s edition of the event, Afrosport reports.
This marks the second straight year that the 38-year-old has pulled out of the US Open warm-up event, with the Serb citing non-medical reasons.
He also withdrew from Cincinnati last year shortly after winning his first gold medal in the singles event at the Paris Olympics.
Djokovic last competed at Wimbledon, where he lost in the semi-finals to eventual champion Jannik Sinner — the Italian also defeated Djokovic in the semi-finals at Roland Garros.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is focusing on the US Open, having suffered a shocking exit in the third round last year after losing to Alexei Popyrin.
Djokovic, a four-time US Open champion, last won the event in 2023 when he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the final at Flushing Meadows.
The World No. 6 holds a 26-9 record this season and also opted out of the Masters 1000 tournament in Toronto.
He is expected to compete at the US Open, with the main draw scheduled to take place from 24 August to 7 September in New York City.
