Novak Djokovic Returns to the United States, Ready to Face Challenges

“Throughout my life, I’ve really developed this kind of mindset of not looking back with regret on things. I don’t regret the reason I wasn’t here for two years. I’m glad to be back. I’ve been very successful on American soil.” Novak Djokovic expressed himself with that clarity at the press conference prior to his participation in the Cincinnati Masters 1,000, which marks his return to the United States.

The Serbian, who, due to his refusal to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, has not competed in the North American country since the final of the US Open 2021, which he lost against Daniil Medvedev, will play again at dawn from Wednesday to Thursday (02:30, #Vamos ) in singles (on Tuesday he played and lost in doubles with his compatriot Cacic, against Jamie Murray and Michael Venus) against Alejandro Davidovich. The Spaniard, who beat Argentine Etcheverry by a double 6-3, is in good shape and will be a tough opponent. He also competed in pairs on the third day, along with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The last time Djokovic played the Western & Southern Open was in 2020, although that year, due to the pandemic, the tournament took place in the New York bubble, and he was proclaimed champion there. The Balkan had not been in Cincinnati since 2019. In 2022, the US tightened its health policy, preventing unvaccinated people from entering its territories. That is why the winner of 23 Grand Slams missed the last two Masters 1,000 in Indian Wells and Miami, and last year in Cincinnati; also the US Open, with a loss of 1,200 points. Last May, the US government lifted the anti-COVID restriction and Djokovic’s doors were opened again to compete there this week and in two weeks in New York, in the last Grand Slam of the course.

expectation

His first training session at the Lindner Family Tennis Center generated a lot of anticipation. “It looked like a game. I am very grateful for the presence of so many people,” said Novak, who had not played since the Wimbledon final that he lost to Carlos Alcaraz. “I got over it in one day. I needed a good rest afterwards and some time with my family, and that’s what I did.” He now returns ready to stand up to the Spanish and thus delay the inevitable change of cycle as long as possible.

2023-08-15 22:56:55
#Djokovic #returns