Name: 'Glad to be back.' Novak Djokovic returns to Western & Southern Open bidding for No. 1
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'Glad to be back.' Novak Djokovic returns to Western & Southern Open bidding for No. 1

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Shelby DermerCincinnati EnquirerView CommentsMASON, Ohio − When he looked around during his practice session Saturday night at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, Novak Djokovic joked with his coach about being on the wrong court."I asked him, 'are we on the right court?' Djokovic said Sunday during his pre-tournament press conference.The 36-year-old was, in fact, in the correct spot, astonished by the amount of fans who flocked to the practice courts hoping to watch or get a signed, oversized tennis ball from the 23-time Grand Slam champion.More:5 storylines to follow this week at the 2023 Western &amp; Southern OpenMore:Monday results, schedule at the 2023 Western &amp; Southern Open | Live updates"We thought it was a match. I'm very grateful of the presence of so many people for a practice session, which is amazing," Djokovic said. "I did experience some tournament throughout the world in terms of great attendance on the practice courts, but I guess, for a while, nothing of this intensity in terms of the participation of the crowd."People were really into it. Lots of young fans, which is something I always wish to see. That gives me more inspiration to play my best tennis in return."Why the spectator frenzy?Aside from being one of the sport's all-time greats, Djokovic is making his first appearance in Cincinnati since 2019 and is a two-time Western &amp; Southern Open champion. He beat Roger Federer for his first Western &amp; Southern Open singles title in 2018, then won the singles championship in 2020 when it was in New York City.This week is also Djokovic's first event in the United States since 2021 due to previous vaccine requirements for foreign travelers."Throughout my life I've really developed this kind of mindset that I don't look back with regret on things," Djokovic said. "Things happening on the outside, the reason I was not here for two years, I have zero regret. I'm glad to be back. I've had plenty of success on American soil."That ability to not focus on the past shifts to the tennis court, too. Djokovic, ranked No. 2 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, is trying to reclaim the world's top spot from 20-year-old phenom Carlos Alcaraz of Spain. Djokovic was ranked No. 1 after beating Alcaraz at the French Open in June en route to his 23rd Grand Slam title. Alcaraz quickly leapfrogged the veteran after claiming the Cinch Championships, then beat Djokovic in a five-set thriller in Wimbledon."I was over it (Wimbledon loss) in a day. I needed some really good rest after that and some time with my family, and that's what I did," Djokovic said. "It was a close match, but well deserved from his (Alvaraz) side to win because he played better in the important moments... You move on."Alcaraz, coming off an upset loss to American Tommy Paul in the Canadian Open quarterfinals on Aug. 11, needs a run to the Western &amp; Southern Open final to stay atop the leaderboard. He's well aware of who is on his heels."You have to enjoy when the battle is against one of the legends of our sport, against Novak (Djokovic)," Alcaraz said. "I feel as the main opponent of him, for me, is something crazy and I'm trying to enjoy."You have to hold goals for yourself during the season in every tournament and for me, right now, the main goal is to stay in the top spot."Djokovic, who has a first-round bye in the main draw and will play either Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina or Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the Round of 32 later this week, still has the motivation to get back to No. 1 despite not dwelling on past defeats."There's still a fire going," Djokovic said. "There's still that drive to come to the biggest tournaments in the sport and try to win titles. I really wanted to be here in Cincinnati."View Comments

Shelby DermerCincinnati EnquirerView CommentsMASON, Ohio − When he looked around during his practice session Saturday night at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, Novak Djokovic joked with his coach about being on the wrong court."I asked him, 'are we on the right court?' Djokovic said Sunday during his pre-tournament press conference.The 36-year-old was, in fact, in the correct spot, astonished by the amount of fans who flocked to the practice courts hoping to watch or get a signed, oversized tennis ball from the 23-time Grand Slam champion.More:5 storylines to follow this week at the 2023...

'Glad to be back.' Novak Djokovic returns to Western & Southern Open bidding for No. 1

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