Novak Djokovic eased back into tennis in the US as the Serb went through to the Cincinnati Masters third round when his Spanish opponent quit with lower back pain on Wednesday.
Djokovic was banned from entry to the country during the COVID years for refusing to take a vaccine.
He last competed in Cincinnati in 2019 after winning his second title here the year before; he also played in October, 2020, during the pandemic when the tournament was shifted to the US Open grounds in New York and held without spectators.
Djokovic needed just 42 minutes to reach the third round 6-4 when Alejandro Davidovich Fokina could not go on due to lower back pain which left him helpless to make an impression in the match
The Spaniard took a medical timeout off court after even games and came out to drop serve to love.
From then, it was just a matter of time until his inevitable retirement.
“He told me it started yesterday,” Djokovic said. “Hopefully he will be ready for New York (US Open)
“This is never the way you want to win, the crowd was expecting a match, a battle.
“But it’s good for me to come back to the court and win.”
The 36-year-old added: “I have mixed emotions with how the match ended. I’m hoping to build form and progress through the tournament by raising my level.”
Djokovic now takes on Gael Monfils after the French showman beat Australian Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-4.
“It will be a battle of the veterans,” Djokovic said. Gael is an amazing guy, I truly respect and like him – he brings so much joy to fans..
“He’s the most charismatic player we’ve had in the last two decades.”.
Main Photo:- Novak Djokovic last played Cincy in 2020 by Ben Solomon USTA
