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Novak Djokovic has opened up about ongoing health issues after his surprise second-round defeat at the Cincinnati Open over the weekend.
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The former world no. 1 (and current No. 5) lost in three sets — 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 — to Thiago Agustin Tirante on Saturday.
Tirante is ranked 50th in the world so he’s no slouch, but the Serb was obviously the heavy favourite.
Djokovic, 39, was playing in his first match since losing in straight sets to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals in July.
Nole was visibly struggling throughout the match and at one point, he slumped to his hands and knees. Then during the changeover, he sat at his bench, removed his shirt and rubbed an ice pack along his head and neck.
He then appeared to vomit into a towel on court before taking a medical timeout midway through the second set as physio and a doctor tended to him.
Djokovic went on to complete the match but was clearly not at 100%.
The conditions in Cincinnati were hot and humid. The weather further hindered Djokovic’s health, he later told reporters.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during a match against Thiago Agustín Tirante of Argentina on day five of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 15, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) Photo by Emilee Chinn /Getty Images
“Congrats to my opponent today,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion said at his post-match press conference, per the ATP Tour.
“It was not an enjoyable match for me, for sure. The way I felt. Not the first and I guess not the last time, but it is what it is,” he continued.
He clarified that the conditions weren’t the problem.
“It’s just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years,” Djokovic explained. “(It causes) a lot of issues, especially when it is humid and it is hot.”
He added: “I did anticipate it [would be humid], but there are all these things, like nerves and everything involved that make it worse, and that’s what happened.”
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For his part, Tirante called the win the best of his career up to now, and had nothing but praise for his iconic opponent.
“I think I really did a good job inside the court,” the Argentine said. “I managed very well the nerves of playing against a legend like Novak.”
Novak Djokovic of Serbia hugs Thiago Agustín Tirante of Argentina after a match on day five of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 15, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) Photo by Emilee Chinn /Getty Images
Djokovic withdrew from the National Bank Open in Montreal earlier this month, in what appeared to be some rest time ahead of the U.S. Open.
Djokovic has won that title four times — in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023.
While he didn’t mention they year’s final Grand Slam, which begins Aug. 30. Djokovic admitted that it was unlikely he would be returning to Cincinnati next year — but also didn’t rule it out.
“Let’s see what the future brings.”
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