Good vibes powering Djokovic’s return to Cincinnati

Novak Djokovic is set to return to action at the Cincinnati Masters, his first appearance since his Wimbledon semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner. The 38-year-old Serbian, who has won the tournament three times, views the event as a vital tune-up ahead of the US Open, which begins on August 30th. Djokovic recalled a particularly memorable moment during his Cincinnati Masters journey - his first victory here in 2018.

He described the road to that inaugural title as a "hard hurdle" that took time and effort to overcome. Once he tasted victory, however, he felt a significant sense of relief. Djokovic's most recent triumph in the competition came when he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a grueling three-hour, 49-minute match, hailed by the player as one of the most epic best-of-three contests he has ever participated in.

With Sinner and Alcaraz out of commission this time around, Djokovic's chances of clinching a fourth Cincinnati title appear promising. As his career nears its natural end, Djokovic's playing schedule has been curtailed, but he remains determined to secure his first title of the 2026 season.