Novak Djokovic is getting warmed up for the final few events left in the 2023 season. He has been taking this year slow as the star only competed in Wimbledon in the second half of the tour. Overall, Djokovic has played in eight events and did not play any warmup events on the grass. He is probably taking this break to free his mind from the frenetic pace of the tour.
The world No.2 recently posted a video where he was seen dancing on the court. It was between the practice sessions at Cincinnati. Djokovic was also seen dancing with his wife a few weeks ago at a concert. Djokovic had only lost one final at Wimbledon in 2013 to Andy Murray before losing to Carlos Alcaraz this year. His juniors have handed the Serbian a few tough losses in the past two years.
Dancing away the pain.
— Samir Siddiqui (@samirfromTO) August 13, 2023
Although he has won twenty-three grand slams, losing in the final is always devastating. A Twitter user pointed out that he was “dancing away the pain” in reply to the recently posted video. Djokovic was also seen sporting a beard. The ten-time Australian Open champion can reveal his new look at the Cincinnati Masters, which will be starting on the fourteenth of August.
Novak Djokovic has been given an uphill task at his Cincinnati return
Djokovic is back in Cincinnati after a two-year gap. He could not play in the event due to the travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic for people who had not taken the vaccine. The last time Djokovic played was in Cincinnati in 2020 when he defeated Milos Raonic in the final match. The 36-year-old, this time, will face in-form players as his draw looks challenging.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion has been handed out a bye in the opening round. He could face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first match; the pair had played in the third round at this year’s French Open. It took Djokovic three and half hours for a straight-set win. The draw also has Gael Monfils and Alex De Minaur being the possible opponents for Djokovic as he will have a hard time at Cincinnati this time.
🔥 All hail the return of @djokernole. #CincyTennis x @atptour pic.twitter.com/dxSt9DzQ5k
— Western & Southern Open (@CincyTennis) August 13, 2023
Alcaraz will aim to be the first Spaniard to take the title in over a decade. Alcaraz’s path is relatively better until the quarterfinals, where he could face Tommy Paul. The Spaniard has fallen twice to Paul at the Canadian Open. He suffered a three-set loss to the Americans a few days back at the event. The 20-year-old will be playing at the event for the third time and had lost in the quarterfinals last year.
Djokovic needs a monumental victory to get back on track, as Cincinnati will help him gain confidence for the US Open. A couple of big wins in the next few days can set the tone, and Djokovic can end the season with a celebratory dance.