‘Great memories.’ Novak Djokovic returns to Cincinnati Open

MASON, Ohio − There is a documentary coming out about the great Novak Djokovic on Aug. 20, 2026, titled “The Wolf in Winter.” It’s a project that’s nine years in the making, beginning in 2017 and filming around a global pandemic and a few directorial changes.

It’s directed by Jason Hehir, who did the “The Last Dance” on Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, and explores as much of his illustrious career possible over 90 minutes.

“In my opinion, a bit short to maybe tell the whole story and the whole journey,” Djokovic said in his Cincinnati Open pre-tournament press conference on Thursday, Aug. 13.

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If you tell the whole story, there must be a chapter on Cincinnati. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, has experienced the peaks and valleys of professional tennis right here in Warren County.

With most up-and-coming professionals, the valleys came first − starting 21 years ago, when Djokovic made his Masters 1000 debut at the Cincinnati Open with a three-set loss to Fernando González on the Grandstand court.

Three years later, Djokovic was in his first Cincinnati Open finals, falling to Andy Murray. He’d lose his first five Cincinnati finals appearances − two to Murray (2008 and 2011) and three to Roger Federer (2009, 2012 and 2015).

The peaks finally came in 2018, when he defeated Federer in straight sets for his first Rookwood Cup to complete his Career Golden Masters (winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in a career).

“Great memories. It took me awhile to win my first title here,” Djokovic said. “It was a hard hurdle for me. Once I got the first title, it was a huge relief, in a sense, coming back knowing you’ve won at least once.”

After clearing the Federer hurdle, Djokovic returned to the Cincinnati Open in 2020 and won again when the tournament was held in New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most fans around Mason this week will remember him mostly from his last appearance at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.

It was special in more ways than one. For starters, Djokovic outlasted Carlos Alcaraz in the longest match in Cincinnati Open history (3 hours, 49 minutes) to win his third Rookwood Cup.

“One of the most epic best-of-three matches that I was ever a part of,” Djokovic said Thursday, Aug. 13.

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Two months later, he, alongside fellow 2023 champion Coco Gauff, announced that the tournament was staying in Mason after a strong push from Charlotte to move it.

“I’ve had some great support here from Illinois, Chicago and Ohio Serbian communities,” Djokovic said. “That’s what I remember from the 2023 and 2018 finals: quite a lot of Serbian flags in the stadium.”

Djokovic withdrew from the Cincinnati Open in each of the last two years, so this is the first time he’s seen the $260 million campus transformation that has brought the event from near extinction to one of the best stops on the tour.

“The facilities have improved so much,” Djokovic said. “It’s a huge change. It has become one of the favorite Masters events for most of the players. I see why.”

Though he didn’t comment on it, Djokovic can also see the path toward a ninth Cincinnati Open finals appearance. It sticks out like a sore thumb with Jannik Sinner (knee) and Alcaraz (wrist) − the past two champions since Djokovic’s 2023 win − having withdrawn.

The No. 3 seed, Djokovic is 14-5 this season but has yet to win an event. He hasn’t gone a full season without a title since 2005. His best results in 2026 ended in Grand Slam heartbreak in the Wimbledon semifinals to Sinner and the Australian Open final against Alcaraz.

Cincinnati might sometimes serve as a tuneup for the US Open in New York, but with the “Sincaraz” rivalry out of sight, don’t rule out the remaining Big Three member being the last one standing.

Said Djokovic: “I look forward to playing this tournament.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ‘Great memories.’ Novak Djokovic returns to Cincinnati Open