Novak Djokovic touched down on US soil finally, but he's back with an unfamiliar look that has generated plenty of mixed reactions on social media.
The Serbian star arrived in Ohio a couple of days ago and was pictured enjoying his first hit session as he prepares to play this week's, Cincinnati Masters. Djokovic is signed up to play in singles and doubles during the week, with his first-round doubles match scheduled on Tuesday alongside countryman Nikola Cacic.
Djokovic took over the ATP's designated social media phone and posted a sneak peek of being thrilled to return to the Western & Southern Open for the first time since winning the 2020 edition of the tournament which was staged in New York. Tennis fans were quick to spot a noticeably bigger beard on Djokovic's face.
"Great to be back in Cincinnati. The fans thank you all for coming to the last couple of days in the practice session and hope to see you soon next week in big numbers."
Fans didn't take it too kindly seeing Djokovic bring his vacation beard to Cincinnati. One fan was 'unsure how to feel about it'. Another commented that Djokoovic's first step before everything should be 'to buy a razor'. Despite the mixed reactions, a section of fans called for Djokovic 'to keep the beard'.
Djokovic is the tournament's second seed in the singles draw and could play his first match, likely on Wednesday against either the in-form Alejandro Davidovich Fokina - semifinalist in Toronto - or Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
The 36-year-old remains in the hunt on the World No. 1 ranking, sitting just 600 points from Spain's Carlos Alcaraz. The two of them are in opposite halves of the draw, although the likelihood of Djokovic wrestling the No. 1 ranking is not completely in his hands, but it is mathematically possible that he can overturn Alcaraz's lead.
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