{"id":861583,"date":"2026-08-17T18:00:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T18:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/861583\/"},"modified":"2026-08-17T18:00:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T18:00:11","slug":"novak-djokovic-reveals-years-long-mystery-health-condition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/861583\/","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic reveals years-long mystery health condition"},"content":{"rendered":"

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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.<\/p>\n

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The former world no. 1 (and current No. 5) lost in three sets \u2014 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 \u2014 to Thiago Agustin Tirante on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Tirante is ranked 50th in the world so he\u2019s no slouch, but the Serb was obviously the heavy favourite.<\/p>\n

Djokovic, 39, was playing in his first match since losing in straight sets to Jannik Sinner<\/a> in the Wimbledon semifinals in July.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Djokovic went on to complete the match but was clearly not at 100%.<\/p>\n

The conditions in Cincinnati were hot and humid. The weather further hindered Djokovic\u2019s health, he later told reporters.<\/p>\n

\"Novak Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during a match against Thiago Agust\u00edn 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<\/p>\n

\u201cCongrats to my opponent today,\u201d the 24-time Grand Slam champion said at his post-match press conference, per the ATP Tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt 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,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

He clarified that the conditions weren\u2019t the problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years,\u201d Djokovic explained. \u201c(It causes) a lot of issues, especially when it is humid and it is hot.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cI did anticipate it [would be humid], but there are all these things, like nerves and everything involved that make it worse, and that\u2019s what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I really did a good job inside the court,\u201d the Argentine said. \u201cI managed very well the nerves of playing against a legend like Novak.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Novak Novak Djokovic of Serbia hugs Thiago Agust\u00edn 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<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Djokovic has won that title four times \u2014 in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023.<\/p>\n

While he didn\u2019t mention they year\u2019s final Grand Slam, which begins Aug. 30. Djokovic admitted that it was unlikely he would be returning to Cincinnati next year \u2014 but also didn\u2019t rule it out.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see what the future brings.\u201d<\/p>\n

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