By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday August 16, 2023
Novak Djokovic returned to the North American hard courts for the first time in nearly two years, with a victory.
Photo Source: Getty
Novak Djokovic made his long awaited return to the North American hard courts on Wednesday in Cincinnati, notching an abbreviated victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who was forced to retire after just 46 minutes due to a back injury.
The 23-time major champion had not played in the US since falling in the 2021 US Open final to Daniil Medvedev, and he had not played on site at Cincinnati since 2019, before the pandemic.
The 36-year-old wasn’t tested as his opponent suffered an injury early in the opening set and was hindered from the time he took an injury timeout after the seventh game until he eventually pulled the plug.
Nevertheless the victory is a meaningful one for Djokovic, who is playing for the first time since he lost the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz, and intent on regaining the form that has placed him atop the all-time Grand Slam men’s singles title list with 23.
"It's never the way you like to win, I think for the crowd as well,” Djokovic said on court after his victory. “Coming in, they expect to see a battle, they expect to see a match. Of course it's great for me to be able to come back to the court and win a match. Obviously mixed emotions with the way it finished. Nevertheless, I'm hoping that I can build my form day to day and progress through the tournament with raising the level."
Djokovic improves to 34-5 on the season and 41-12 lifetime at Cincinnati, where he is the 2018 and 2020 champion (note: the 2020 event was played on site at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York due to covid).
Djokovic takes a record of 18-0 into his contest with Monfils on Thursday.
He had nothing but kind words for his fellow 36-year-old on Wednesdsay.
"He's an amazing guy. Someone I truly respect and like a lot as a person," he said of much-loved Frenchman. "He brings so much joy to the fans, so much entertainment. One of the most charismatic players that we've had in the past two decades on the Tour.
"It's great to see him back after several years of struggling with injuries. He's playing as good as ever. He's a year older than me. Everybody talks about my age, but what about him! He's doing amazing, so it's going to be a duel of the veterans tomorrow I guess."