Novak Djokovic ‘really looking forward’ to US Open return, reveals his next tournament
Novak Djokovic has said he is “really looking forward” to playing the US Open for the first time since his emotional final defeat to Daniil Medvedev in 2021.
The 36-year-old also revealed he is currently planning to play the Cincinnati Masters as his only event before the New York major, meaning he will miss the Canada Masters.
Djokovic was defeated in straight sets by Medvedev in the final of the 2021 US Open, denying him the historic achievement of winning all four Grand Slam titles in one year.
During the third set, the Serb was brought to tears by the support he received from the crowd, who tried to lift him back into the contest.
On Sunday, Djokovic fell in an incredible five-set Wimbledon final to world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz – ending his hopes of winning a Calendar Slam this year.
The 23-time major champion identified the US Open and the Davis Cup as the events he is most focused on for the rest of the 2023 season.
“I keep on going with the same resolution, with a big desire and fresh goals – the US Open and Davis Cup are the most important competitions for me until the end of this year. I hope to stay healthy, motivated, ready, strong – so that I can fight for another Grand Slam title,” the 36-year-old told Serbian outlet Sport Klub.
The three-time US Open winner discussed his last experience of competing in New York and how this has stayed with him.
“I am looking forward to coming back to New York. Throughout my career, I’ve played my best on hard courts, although grass has become my favourite surface too in the last five-six years. But overall, considering tournaments where I’ve been most successful – it’s hard courts,” Djokovic told Serbian reporters.
“I’ve played a lot of finals in New York. I lost the last one to Medvedev, but I received a lot of love from the crowd, which wasn’t the case in the past. I left New York with that image in my head, so I am really looking forward to going back.”
The Serb also confirmed his intention to play the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati next month as his single US Open warm-up event.
“Yes, that’s the plan for now – I will play in Cincinnati as preparation for New York,” added the world No 2.
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