World No.1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from his last planned US Open lead-up event, the Cincinnati Masters.<\/p>\n
Djokovic won the event last year before an explosive US Open exit in which he was defaulted for striking a lineswoman in the throat with a ball.<\/p>\n
This year, he will head to the US Open without a tune-up event under his belt. He had already withdrawn from the Toronto Masters.<\/p>\n
This year, Djokovic can complete the first calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969 if he wins the US Open. His hopes of winning the first-ever men's Golden Slam ended when he lost in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics.<\/p>\n
Djokovic said that he needed more recovery time after a gruelling 2021 schedule, which has seen him win the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.<\/p>\n
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"I wanted to share with you that I'm taking a bit longer to recover after quite a physically taxing journey from Australian Open up to Tokyo," Djokovic posted on his social media accounts.<\/p>\n
"Sadly, this means I won't be ready to compete in Cincinnati this year, so I'll be turning my focus to the US Open and spending more time with my family. Can't wait to see you in New York soon!"<\/p>\n
Djokovic left the Olympics empty-handed after losing to Alexander Zverev in his semi-final and Pablo Carreno Busta in his bronze medal match.<\/p>\n
The Serbian megastar also sparked controversy by withdrawing from a bronze medal mixed doubles match against Australia's Ash Barty and John Peers, claiming injury and leaving partner Nina Stojanovic in the lurch.<\/p>\n
Djokovic can rewrite tennis history if he wins the US Open. He will become the outright leader in the Grand Slam titles race, breaking a tie on 20 with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and become only the third man to win a calendar Slam, after Laver (twice) and Don Budge.<\/p>\n
While Djokovic will be a raging favourite to win at Flushing Meadows, his last of three titles there came in 2018; which was preceded by victory at the Cincinnati Masters. The US Open is his second-least prolific major, following the French Open (two titles).<\/p>\n
Djokovic's withdrawal from Cincinnati also casts some doubt on his condition, physically and mentally. He cited a shoulder injury when he withdrew from his Olympic mixed doubles medal match. <\/p>\n
Yet the world No.1 has demonstrated an incredible ability to play with niggles in the back half of his career. He won this year's Australian Open, his ninth title in Melbourne, while nursing a painful abdominal strain.<\/p>\n
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