WATCH: Novak Djokovic confirms participation at Cincinnati Open 2026
(Courtesy : @DjokerNole/Twitter)
Novak Djokovic is a three-time Cincinnati Open champion.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is officially heading back to Cincinnati. Novak Djokovic confirmed on July 30 that he would participate in the Masters 1000 event next month. This will be his first appearance there since 2023, when he won the trophy following one of the most thrilling finals of his career.
Cincinnati has been kind to Djokovic over the years. He has won there three times, in 2018, 2020 and 2023, and finished as the runner-up on five occasions.
The Serbian tennis star’s 2023 triumph was a gritty three-setter against Carlos Alcaraz that stretched nearly four hours, and is a contender for one of the all-time great matches in a Masters event.
Djokovic opened the year strong, reaching the Australian Open final, before hitting a rough patch at Indian Wells with an early exit. Since then, he’s stayed away from hard courts, and this will be his first tournament back on the surface.
His absence isn’t surprising given how selective Novak has become with his scheduling. At 39, he’s clearly picking his battles, skipping most non-Grand Slam events to manage fatigue and protect his body for the majors. He hasn’t played the Canadian Open since 2019, for instance.
But this time feels different, as rather than walking into the US Open cold, as he did before both the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, he wants some real match play under his belt first.
“Hello everyone. I am very happy to announce that I will be in Cincinnati this year, for the first time since 2023. That year I played one of the top three Masters 1000 finals of my career. I can’t wait to come back and perform in front of all of you. I’m very excited to see the fans, tennis fans around the world who are going to be present at that tournament. See you soon.”
Djokovic won’t be the only big name in Mason. Alcaraz is set to return for the first time since his wrist injury, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner arrives fresh off his Wimbledon title, and the recently crowned Roland Garros champion Alexander Zverev headline a stacked field.
Will Novak Djokovic participate at the Cincinnati Open 2026?
Yes, Djokovic confirmed on July 30 that he will be teeing up at the Masters 1000 event next month.
How many Cincinnati Open titles has Novak Djokovic won?
Novak Djokovic is a three-time Cincinnati Open champion.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.