The Canadian Open might not be overly fun for many ticket holders, as so much top-end talent on the ATP tour is avoiding the event. The same scenario isn't unfolding for the Cincinnati Masters, however. Not only is Carlos Alcaraz scheduled to make his return at the event, but Novak Djokovic will be there, too.
In a tweet from the Cincinnati Open on Thursday, Djokovic announced that he will indeed play in the southern Ohio city (really, it's Mason, Ohio, and not Cincy, but who's counting?), marking his first time playing in the tournament since 2023, and only his second time since 2020.
If you happen to be a Djokovic fan, it might be a good sign that he is participating because every time he has recently, he has won. Since 2018, he has played in Cincinnati four times and won the title three times, including 2020 and 2023. He won't be the favorite in 2026, as that will be Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz, assuming both play, but no one can count Djokovic out of winning a hard-court tournament.
Novak Djokovic says he will play at the 2026 Cincinnati Open
Clearly, the 24-time Grand Slam winner is participating to use the event as a warm-up to the US Open. He hasn't played since he lost in the semifinals of Wimbledon to Sinner in three sets. Not that Djokovic not playing much seems to matter. He's taken a lot of time off in the last two years, but reached at least the semifinals at every major except the 2026 French Open.
He is one of the more remarkable athletes of his generation, or any other generation, and, more importantly to tennis tournaments, he is one of the more marketable players in the history of the sport. Knowing he is coming to the Cincinnati Masters is only going to further the tournament's ability to sell tickets.
He’s back! 🤩
— Cincinnati Open (@CincyTennis) July 30, 2026
24-time Grand Slam champion @DjokerNole is returning to Cincinnati. pic.twitter.com/W3t3IohoV8
The Cincinnati event is a 1000 event for both the ATP and WTA, and the main draw will be played from Thursday, August 13 through Sunday, August 23. The finals on both the men's and women's sides are played on the final day of the event.
Tennis fans might wonder about the heat, though. The summer of 2026 has been brutal, so if fans are going, drink lots of water. How the players will be affected is unknown, of course, though keeping an eye on Jannik Sinner to see if he begins to struggle in the heat will be interesting. As for Novak Djokovic, he will probably be just fine.
