Novak Djokovic's summer schedule: Where is he playing? When he can get to No. 1? Is he playing US Open and Davis Cup?
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ByEurosport
Published 14/08/2023 at 14:22 GMT
What is Novak Djokovic's summer schedule? Will he play the US Open and Davis Cup? When can he return to world No. 1 ahead of Carlos Alcaraz? Djokovic is set to return to action at the Cincinnati Masters as he plays singles and doubles. It will be the first time Djokovic has played since losing in the Wimbledon final to Alcaraz, and will act as preparation for the US Open.
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Novak Djokovic returns to the USA this week when he plays the Cincinnati Masters.
Djokovic has not played a tournament in North America since losing in the final of the 2021 US Open to Daniil Medvedev. He missed all events in North America in 2022, as well as Indian Wells and the Miami Open earlier this year as his Covid-19 vaccination status meant he was unable to travel to either the USA or Canada.
However, as entry laws have now changed, Djokovic has been able to return.
Here’s all you need to know about Djokovic’s summer plans, including where he is playing and what’s at stake for him at the US Open.
What is Djokovic’s schedule?
Djokovic makes his return to action at the Cincinnati Masters this week.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion has not played since losing in the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz in July.
When he plays singles on Wednesday it will be his first match in a month, and before then is set to play doubles in Cincinnati alongside fellow Serb Nikola Cacic.
After Cincinnati, Djokovic will head to New York to prepare for the US Open, which starts on August 28.
It will then be a quick turnaround as Djokovic is hoping to play in the Davis Cup for Serbia.
Serbia play their first group match in Valencia on Tuesday, September 12, two days after the US Open men’s final. They play South Korea, Spain and Czech Republic in Group C, with the top two teams in the group advancing to the finals in late November.
Djokovic has outlined his ambitions to play Davis Cup this year.
“Knock on wood, I hope that I will stay healthy,” he said in July.
“In that case, I will be available. It’s true that the schedule is really tough…but I told captain Viktor [Troiciki] that I will be there. I can’t wait.”
Djokovic is not currently scheduled to play for Team Europe in the Laver Cup, which is in Vancouver on September 22-24.
What’s at stake for Djokovic at the US Open?
The last time Djokovic was in New York he was one win away from becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the Calendar Slam (win all four majors in the same season).
The Calendar Slam is not on the cards this summer after Alcaraz won Wimbledon, but Djokovic still has the chance to make more history.
If he wins the US Open for a fourth time, he will equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of winning 24 Grand Slams.
Djokovic is currently one ahead of Rafael Nadal in the all-time men’s standings and level with Serena Williams on 23.
Eurosport expert Mats Wilander said ahead of the Wimbledon final that he thinks Djokovic could win several more Grand Slam titles.
“I don’t know why he shouldn’t be able to win 28, 29, 30 Grand Slams," the Swede said.
“I don’t see a sign that tells me that he is slowing down, I see a lot of signs telling me that he is getting better.”
Will Djokovic return to world No. 1?
Djokovic has a strong chance to return to No. 1 over the next few weeks.
He has been world No. 1 for a record 389 weeks, but has not been top of the rankings since Alcaraz won Queen’s in late June.
Alcaraz goes into Cincinnati with a 600-point lead over Djokovic.
Alcaraz made the quarter-finals at the ATP 1000 event last year so has those points to defend, while Djokovic didn’t play so could gain 1,000 points if he lifts the trophy.
The big swing could be at the US Open though, as Alcaraz is defending champion so has 2,000 ranking points against his name.
Djokovic will be able to gain a maximum of 2,000 as he didn’t contest the US Open in 2022.
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