Novak Djokovic Discusses Health After Cincinnati Open Exit

Tennis player Novak Djokovic referenced a health condition following his early departure from the Cincinnati Open. He lost to the 25-year-old Thiago Agustín Tirante in the second round, experiencing visible distress during the match.

Djokovic, aged 39, appeared to be in difficulty and even vomited at one point, necessitating a medical timeout. The challenging match extended nearly three hours before Tirante overcame the 24-time Grand Slam winner.

After the loss, Djokovic described the match as “not enjoyable.” He mentioned a lingering health issue that affects him, especially under hot and humid conditions. The Serbian athlete has battled this problem for several years. Although he foresaw the humidity, he indicated that other elements, like nerves, exacerbated the situation.

Djokovic refrained from providing details about the specific health concern. Post-match, he praised Tirante, who expressed that defeating Djokovic felt like a career peak. Tirante hailed Djokovic as a significant figure in tennis and noted his own ability to manage nerves on court against such an accomplished player.

“I managed very well the nerves of playing against a legend like Novak,” Tirante stated.

During the match, Djokovic defended 13 of 15 break points. However, Tirante succeeded in breaking his serve in the ninth game of the last set, securing the victory with scores of 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in 2 hours and 44 minutes.

Djokovic has a strong track record at the Cincinnati Open, but this loss brought his record to 45-13, as reported by the ATP Tour. This defeat might mark his final appearance in the tournament.

When questioned about returning, Djokovic expressed uncertainty. “I certainly hope so, but it looks more likely not, unfortunately,” he shared. “But let’s see what the future brings.”

This was Djokovic’s first tournament since losing to Italy’s Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon in July. Earlier, Djokovic withdrew from the Canadian Open, likely to prepare for the upcoming U.S. Open, starting on Aug. 30, where he has claimed the title four times.