Djokovic regrets missing the chance to win Wimbledon

"Obviously I had a chance in the second and fifth sets but missed," Djokovic recalled the Wimbledon final during his press conference ahead of the Cincinnati Masters in the US this week. "It was a close match. Of course it wasn't my first and last defeat. So I just needed a day to forget it."

After easily winning the opening set of the Wimbledon final, Djokovic had the opportunity to win the second set when he led Carlos Alcaraz 3-1, then 6-5 in the tie-break series. The Serbian player could not take advantage of it, letting the juniors win this set. Djokovic then earned an early break-point early in the fifth set but missed again and lost the set 4-6.

"I felt like I was going to take the lead, but everything passed," Djokovic said. "Alcaraz played better than me in the decisive points. He won well, and I kept walking."

Djokovic affirmed that he still has the desire to compete and the ambition to win. He said he spent a positive recovery period. "I stay motivated every day, ready for the challenge ahead," added Djokovic. "After years of fighting, I can now choose my favorite tournament to play. That's why I went to Cincinnati and the US Open."

Djokovic will start the Cincinnati Masters with a match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round tomorrow, August 16. The world number two player also registered to participate in the doubles event. He paired with Cacic - the only Serbian in the top 100 in doubles at ATP. The Serbian tennis pair will meet Jamie Murray and Michael Venus in the first round of men's doubles today August 15.

Djokovic has won the Cincinnati Masters twice, including the last time in 2020. In 2018, he was crowned here for the first time, thereby completing the Golden Masters (winning all nine different Masters). Nole also won the US Open three times, in 2011, 2015 and 2018.