Washington: Novak Djokovic, trying to finish one year the Grand Slam calendar in the US Open, resigning from ATP Cincinnati Masters on Monday, said he needed more recovery time after the Tokyo Olympics.
The top Serbian star, the level for the record of men’s entire time of 20 grand slam titles can be the first human since Rod Laver in 1969 to win the four main titles in one year.
Djokovic, 34, lost in Tokyo to Alexander Zverev in the semifinals and Pablo Carreno Busta in a bronze medal match in what would be his last match before the US open after leaving the last big masked event.
“I need a little longer to recover and recover after a tax trip from Australia to Tokyo,” Djokovic posted on social media.
“Unfortunately, it means I will not be ready to compete in Cincinnati this year so I will change my focus and attention to us open and spend more time with family.
See you in New York!” Djokovic was the winner of the two Cincinnati shows, including last year, when it was played in New York because of the Pandemic Covid-19.
The Cincinnati Field still features five former champions, including the winner of Rafael Nadal, 2019 Spain, Daniil Medvedev, Marin Cilic, Grigor Dimitrov and the winner of two times Andy Murray from England.