Novak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, citing a 'non-medical' reason. This decision means the 24-time Grand Slam champion will enter the US Open without having played a competitive match in approximately 1½ months.

Djokovic's last appearance was at Wimbledon, where he fell to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the semifinals on July 11. During that match, Djokovic was visibly hampered by an upper left leg injury sustained in his quarterfinal victory. Despite receiving treatment, he was unable to perform at his peak against Sinner.

This withdrawal follows Djokovic's absence from the Toronto Masters, where he cited a groin injury. His last hard-court tournament before the US Open was the French Open, where he also lost to Sinner in the semifinals.

The US Open, set to begin on August 24, will be a significant test for Djokovic, who has won four championships at Flushing Meadows, most recently in 2023. This was also his most recent Grand Slam trophy. With no hard-court preparation, questions loom about his ability to compete at the highest level.

Djokovic's decision to skip the Cincinnati Open has sparked discussions among tennis analysts and fans alike. Will the lack of match play affect his performance at the US Open? Only time will tell as the tennis world eagerly awaits the start of the final Grand Slam of the year.