Novak Djokovic reveals he is not a fan of two-week Masters tournaments at all and admits that's one of the reasons why he hasn't played much this year.
On July 11th, Djokovic picked up a three-set defeat to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinal. Since then, the world No. 7 hasn't appeared in a single match, skipping the 1000-level tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati. Overall, the 38-year-old has taken part in nine tournaments this year and owns a 26-9 record.
In recent years, several Masters tournaments ditched the traditional one-week format as Monte Carlo and Paris remain the only tournaments from such category to be taking place over a week. So far this year, seven 1000-level tournaments have taken place and Djokovic participated in only - Monte Carlo and Madrid.
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Speaking in front of US Open reporters ahead of his first match in a month and a half, the record 24-time Grand Slam champion admitted that he remains "focused on the Majors" but also noted that he didn't find Masters tournaments enticing anymore.
Djokovic rips the two-week Masters format: We unofficially have 12 Grand Slams per a year now
To be quite frank with you, I dont enjoy the two-week Masters events anymore. Its just way too long for me. My focus is mostly on the Slams, and I have said that before," the 38-year-old admitted.
"But I also like other tournaments. Id like to play more of the other tournaments, but I just, we have currently informally, unofficially, 12 Grand Slams a year, you know, when you think about it. I mean, Grand Slam is two weeks and the other Masters events are almost two weeks, as well. So yeah, its just not any more prioritizing the heavy schedule as I used to. Im not chasing the rankings or building up my points or defending, et cetera. I just dont think about it anymore.
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In his presser, Djokovic acknowledged that he is lacking matches but also underlined that he practiced very hard in the last couple of weeks, and therefore expects to be fine. The four-time US Open champion faces Learner Tien in his opener at Flushing Meadows.
