Tennis Atlantic

Djokovic likely out of Cincinnati, Wawrinka doubtful
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

Last night’s news that Novak Djokovic was pulling out of Cincinnati seemed like a hoax to me at first glance. 18 hours later, it appears that there’s been plenty of time to clear the air. Just as I put a positive spin on his doubles loss last night by suggesting on twitter that he might be practicing in Cincinnati a little earlier than planned, followers were quick to point out that Alex Krstanovic had posted the following only a half-hour before my wishful tweet:

After his doubles loss @DjokerNole confirms his next tournament will be the #USOpen

— Alex Krstanovic (@acabgd) August 9, 2016

While the Serbian-speaking reporter should have an in with Novak and be able to decipher comments made by his entourage, there wasn’t an official report on it all night.

He told me that himself, so I’d call that pretty official. https://t.co/Lmwajqaqs3

— Alex Krstanovic (@acabgd) August 9, 2016

With no denial issued by Djokovic, the tennis media world had to write something about it, and they did. Not surprisingly, no reports have dug any deeper than going with the “reportedly” cover, meaning “based on a tweet”.

It would be a shame for the world #1 to skip, seeing as he has never won the Western & Southern Open. Like TMF, the Talk Tennis Guru reminded us on the Talk Tennis Forum, “Many great players – Federer, Nadal, Sampras, Agassi, Connors, Lendl, Becker, Edberg, Wilander have won this event. Even Murray won Cincinnati twice.”

Make it three for the Muzzer?

Don’t expect a big press release from the Western & Southern Open. The main news on their site is this little ditty:

Stan the Man has been the speculation of Cincinnati withdrawal syndrome for over a week now based on his recent injuries. Unlike Djokovic, he skipped Rio, and the latest news is that coach Magnus Norman has downgraded his chances for Cincinnati as “very doubtful”.

Injury is one thing, but “saving” yourself for the slams is downright un-American. Ironically, it was invented by Serena and Venus Williams,  but it’s still not right. For the tennis provinces, a tournament like the Western & Southern Open is America’s U.S. Open. I have met fans who drive 500 miles to see their favorites in action in the ‘Nati, and they are the real losers here.

Sometimes, millionaires just don’t care.

He’s a friendly enough player, but if Djokovic does skip Cincinnati for any reason other than debilitating injury, I won’t be cheering for him on the inside if he hoists another trophy in Flushing Meadows on September 11.