Novak Djokovic 'glad to be back' in US after forced absence

Serbian played singles in Cincinnati for first time since 2019

Novak Djokovic during the match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Cincinnati Open. AFP

Novak Djokovic had a low-key return to competition in the US following a two-year absence, defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the Cincinnati Open after the Spaniard retired early in the second set with a lower back injury.

Serbian great Djokovic won the first set 6-4, then two points into the second set, Davidovich Fokina hunched over in pain following his return and ended the match after 46 minutes.

“Kind of a mixed emotions tonight,” Djokovic said. “Really like Alejandro. Get along really well off the court. We train with each other while in Spain. He told me he has a lower back issue that appeared yesterday. It's unfortunate.”

The 36-year-old lost in doubles on Tuesday in his return to the country after missing events because of his stance on vaccines. It was the Serb's first appearance in Cincinnati since 2019. The 2020 tournament was played in New York due to the pandemic.

Djokovic said he missed playing in the biggest tournaments in the US and was thrilled to be back.

The 23-times Grand Slam champion was not allowed to compete in the US last year and earlier this year over his refusal to take a Covid-19 vaccine, but returned after the American government relaxed its rules for unvaccinated foreign travellers in May.

“Time flies. Four years seems like it was yesterday. So it's definitely nice to be back,” Djokovic told reporters. “I've had some really nice memories from this tournament.

“Winning it in 2018 obviously is a highlight for me, because it was the only Masters I hadn't won for years. I think I lost four or five finals mostly to Roger [Federer].

“But I played well in the past and was really glad to have a chance to come back to the States. It's been two years. I missed it. Some of the biggest tournaments in our sport are played on American soil. I'm just excited to play some tennis.”

World No 2 Djokovic, who lost the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz last month, is looking to capture his third Grand Slam title of the season at the August 28-September 10 US Open.

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic walks with his team after landing at Dubai International Airport on January 17, 2022 after the Australian Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel his visa to play in the Australian Open. Reuters

Novak Djokovic walks through Dubai International Airport after landing from Melbourne where he was deported on Sunday. Reuters

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic after landing in Dubai. Reuters

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic. Reuters

Novak Djokovic lost his appeal Sunday after the Australian government cancelled his visa for a second time. Reuters

World No 1 men's tennis player Novak Djokovic walks with his team at Dubai Airport. Reuters

Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie. Reuters

Novak Djokovic seen walking through Dubai International Airport shortly after arriving from Melbourne. Reuters

Serbia's tennis champion Novak Djokovic disembarks from a plane at the airport in Dubai. AFP

Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie after landing at Dubai Airport. Reuters

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic walks in Melbourne Airport before boarding a flight to Dubai. Reuters

Novak Djokovic walks through departures at Melbourne Airport before boarding a flight to Dubai. Reuters

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic walks in Melbourne Airport escorted by aides. Reuters

A Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel Novak Djokovic's visa to play in the Australian Open, in Melbourne. Reuters

This screen grab taken from AFPTV shows a Dubai-bound plane carrying Serbia's Novak Djokovic preparing to depart from Melbourne Airport on January 16, 2022, after Djokovc lost a legal battle over his coronavirus vaccination status with his dream of clinching a record 21st Grand Slam in tatters. AFP

The 2021 New York runner-up last competed on hardcourts in March and said it was too early to rate his form on the surface after a rusty first match back.

“Some positives, some negatives. But at the end of the day, it's expected. First match coming back,” said Djokovic.

“It'll probably take a few sets for me to really get things going in a right way.”

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek had an encouraging start to the week, beating American qualifier Danielle Collins 6-1, 6-0.

“Last year, I didn't feel confident in Cincinnati so it's big progress for me,” Swiatek said. “I feel like it's going to give me a lot of confidence. I'm happy that I can play better tennis here this year.”

Swiatek will face Zheng Qinwen in the fourth round after the Chinese professional rallied to defeat 43-year-old Venus Williams 1-6, 6-2, 6-1.