MASON, Ohio − Novak Djokovic will not defend his Rookwood Cup title next week.
Djokovic, World No. 2, has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, the tournament announced Thursday afternoon.
Just four days ago, Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Olympic Gold Medal. The two rivals put on a show last summer at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, with Djokovic beating Alcaraz in the longest match in Cincinnati Open history (3 hours, 49 minutes) to capture the Rookwood Cup.
“We certainly understand that it is a quick turnaround from his Olympic triumph to come to Cincinnati,” Tournament Director Bob Moran said in a statement. “His title run here last year was so memorable. We are eager to see him on court again soon.”
Djokovic, a three-time Cincinnati Open champion, withdrew from the French Open in June after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Djokovic will be replaced by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (World No. 48), a 21-year-old from France who recently reached the Round of 16 in the Citi Open in Washington, D.C.