By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, August 14, 2023

Tennis balls were flying toward Novak Djokovic from all angles.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion faced the barrage with a smile and fast right hand.

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All that activity occured at Djokovic's practice session on Sunday as swarming fans were eager to get close to the former world No. 1.

Excitement is high for Djokovic's first appearance in Cincinnati since 2019 when he reached the semifinals bowing to Daniil Medvedev 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

In 2020, when the Western & Southern Open was staged at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows due to the pandemic, Djokovic defeated Milos Raonic to capture the title. Djokovic is a two-time Cincinnati champion.

"I haven't been in Cincinnati since 2019, so nice to be back," Djokovic said. "Lots of young fans that I've seen the last few days on the practice courts, which is always great to see.

"People love their tennis and for me as a player, of course, it's always a pleasure, an honor and fun obviously to be out there and to receive that much support and that much attention. I look forward to competing this week."

Though Carlos Alcaraz ended Djokovic's dream of the calendar-year Grand Slam dethroning the defending Wimbledon champion in an epic five-set Wimbledon final triumph, Djokovic said he's empowered by deep burning desire in his return to the Queen City and later Queens, N.Y. for this month's US Open starting on August 28th.



"I like the feeling that I have after 20 plus years of professional tennis. There's still a fire going," Djokovic said in comments published by ATPtour.com. "I like the feeling that I have after 20 plus years of professional tennis. There's still a fire going."

In 2018, Djokovic defeated seven-time Cincinnati champion Roger Federer, 6-4, 6-4, to claim his maiden Western & Southern Open crown.



This week, Djokovic will open against either Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The 36-year-old Serbian superstar resides in the loaded bottom half of the draw along with Toronto champion Jannik Sinner, Toronto finalist Alex de Minaur, third-seeded Daniil Medvedev, who has beaten Djokovic in Cincinnati and the US Open and sixth-seeded Holger Rune.

Photo credit: Western & Southern Open Facebook