Newlywed Novak Djokovic will try to give himself more reason to cel­ebrate this week as he returns to the hard courts of North America at the ATP Masters at Toronto with the US Open on the horizon.

The number one-ranked Serb, who has lifted the Rogers Cup three times in the tournament that alter­nates between Toronto and Mon­treal, is seeking another strong run to increase the gap atop the rank­ings from injured world No2 Rafael Nadal.

The Spaniard, who won the 2013 Canadian crown as well as the Cincinnati Masters, has withdrawn from both events this year to nurse a right wrist injury.

His absence leaves Djokovic as the favourite in Toronto, and despite a “terrible draw” that could have him meeting eighth-seeded Andy Murray in the quarters, the 27-year-old was in high spirits after winning Wimbledon and getting married.

“It’s been probably the best month I’ve had in my life with the Wimbledon title, a wedding and of course a baby coming up,” Djokovic said.

“I’m going back to the business, back to my office, but of course filled with positive energy, with joy, all the beautiful emotions that a person can experience right now.

“Hopefully I can use that to per­form well on the tennis court.”

Roger Federer, who won Canada in 2004 and 2006, is seeded second in his quest for a third title of 2014.

He’ll be returning to action for the first time since falling to Djoko­vic in a five-set final at Wimbledon. The father of four, who turns 33 next Friday, is gearing up for a seri­ous run at his first US Open trophy since 2008.

Federer is followed in the seed­ings by compatriot Stan Wawrinka, the Australian Open and Monte Carlo champion.

Acknowledging that his break­through season has taken some­thing of a toll, Wawrinka skipped Gstaad last month, saying he need­ed a mental and physical break.

“I need to be ready for the last few months of the season,” he said. “It’s a long series and it will be tough for sure,” he said of the hard court buildup to Flushing Meadows.

“It will be another big challenge,” added Wawrinka, whose best Cana­dian showing was a quarter-final appearance three years ago. “I’m trying to be fit and to do everything possible not to be injured.”

The top eight seeds all have first-round byes, with Djokovic slated to open his campaign against either Czech Radek Stepanek or oft-in­jured Frenchman Gael Monfils.