Novak Djokovic says he is hungry to win more titles as he prepares to play his first event on American soil since 2021.
The world No.2 has been unable to play in the country due to his decision to not get vaccinated against COVID-19 which was a mandatory requirement for all foreign travellers entering America under an emergency health law that was lifted earlier this year. He is playing at the Western and Southern Open this week which is an event he had won on two occasions and was runner-up five other times.
Djokovic hasn’t played on the Tour since his five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the Serbian said he got over that loss ‘in a day.’ If he had won, he would have won a 24th major title and equalled Roger Federer’s record for most Wimbledon titles won by a male player.
Moving on from that disappointment, the 36-year-old is eager to add to his trophy collection which currently stands at 94 ATP titles.
“I like the feeling that I have after 20 plus years of professional tennis. There’s still a fire going,” the ATP website quoted Djokovic as saying.
“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, who has a bye in the first round of Cincinnati, will begin his campaign against either Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Tomas Martin Etcheverry. There is an extra incentive for him this week with the possibility that he could reclaim the No.1 ranking depending on how both he and current No.1 Alcaraz performs. If Alcaraz reaches the final he will keep the top spot regardless of how well his rival does.
“If I’m not motivated, I wouldn’t be here,” Djokovic stated.
“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.”
So far this season, the 36-year-old has won 33 out of 38 matches played. He has contested the final of every major event that has taken place so far in 2023, winning the Australian Open and French Open.
