Novak Djokovic’s return to American soil after a two-year hiatus has sent ripples of anticipation through the tennis community as he readies himself for his campaign in the Cincinnati Masters, set to commence this Wednesday. The Serbian tennis titan’s absence from the North American hard court events in 2022 was notably conspicuous, attributed to his stand against Covid vaccination, a stance that precluded his entry into the USA based on governmental regulations.
His unavailability for these tournaments was a direct consequence of his stance, with his most recent appearance being his loss to Daniil Medvedev in the 2021 US Open final. However, as Covid-related restrictions began to ease from May onwards, Djokovic seized the opportunity to make his triumphant return to the American tennis scene. Witness the best tennis game ever with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
In a departure from his initial summer plans, which he had outlined following his heart-wrenching defeat at Wimbledon, Djokovic has made a fresh addition to his busy schedule. As he embarks on his summer campaign, a comprehensive overview of Djokovic’s upcoming engagements sheds light on his packed calendar.
The Serbian maestro’s itinerary is punctuated by his 15th appearance in the Cincinnati Masters, a tournament he last participated in during his title-winning run in 2019. This event holds particular significance, marking not only his return to ATP tour action but also serving as his comeback after the Wimbledon final where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in an exhilarating five-set clash.
Djokovic’s singles journey in this ATP 1000 event is slated to commence on Wednesday, potentially pitting him against the victor of the Alejandro Davidovich Fokina versus Tomas Martin Etcheverry encounter. Notably, Djokovic’s doubles journey alongside fellow countryman Nikola Cacic will commence a day earlier. Their first opponents will be the formidable pair of Jamie Murray and Michael Venus.
Following his participation in the Cincinnati Masters, Djokovic’s trajectory will lead him to the US Open, set to kick off on August 28. Subsequently, he is slated to partake in the Davis Cup, an endeavor buoyed by Serbia’s team announcement on Monday.
In a swift turnaround, Serbia’s opening group match is scheduled for September 12 in Valencia, a mere two days after the culmination of the US Open. Drawn in Group C alongside South Korea, Spain, and the Czech Republic, Serbia’s aspirations for a Davis Cup triumph hinge on progressing to the finals slated for November.
Amidst this bustling schedule, Djokovic’s participation in the Laver Cup, slated for September 22 to 24 in Vancouver, remains an open question. His presence on Team Europe is yet to be confirmed, adding a layer of intrigue to an already eventful lineup.
This summer presents Djokovic with a golden opportunity to reclaim the world No.1 ranking. As he steps into the Cincinnati Masters fray, Djokovic trails the current No.1, Carlos Alcaraz, by a mere 600 points (8,795 against 9,395). Djokovic’s chance to wrest back the coveted ranking is contingent on Alcaraz’s performance in Ohio.
To thwart Djokovic’s ascent, Alcaraz must reach the final. However, even if Alcaraz accomplishes this feat, he will face the pressure of defending his title and 2000 points at the forthcoming US Open, whereas Djokovic stands to gain a maximum of 2000 points from the same event. The upcoming months promise a gripping battle for supremacy atop the tennis hierarchy. Get the latest updates from the world of tennis only on Nextbet Sports.
