Fire still burns as Djokovic prepares for US return

Novak Djokovic mentioned he nonetheless had hearth in his stomach because the 23-time Grand Slam champion prepares to return to motion at this week’s Cincinnati Open after dropping the Wimbledon ultimate to Carlos Alcaraz final month.

Djokovic’s bid for a calendar yr Grand Slam after profitable the Australian Open and French Open titles resulted in a five-sets defeat on the All England Club, however the 36-year-old mentioned he was over that disappointment in a day.

The Serbian will now purpose to complete the season strongly, beginning with the US hardcourt swing. He is returning to the nation for the primary time in two years after being denied entry on account of being unvaccinated for COVID-19.

“I like the feeling that I have after 20 plus years of professional tennis. There’s still a fire going,” Djokovic mentioned on the ATP web site forward of his Cincinnati opener in opposition to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

“There’s still that drive and motivation to really come at the biggest events in sport and try to win, try to win titles and try to bring some good sensation to the crowds.”

Djokovic will compete in Cincinnati for the primary time since 2019 as he prepares for the US Open, which begins on August 28.

“If I’m not motivated, I wouldn’t be here,” Djokovic added.

“After many years of professional tennis, I feel I have a choice to play what I really want to. I really wanted to be in Cincinnati and of course the US Open is around the corner.”

The three-time US Open champion was given a style of the reception he’s more likely to obtain with an enormous turnout for his follow session on Saturday.

“I made a joke with my coach and asked him whether we were at the right court, because we thought it was a match,” he mentioned. “It’s really amazing. I’m very grateful for the presence of so many people at a practice session.”