Novak Djokovic was knocked out in the second round of the Cincinnati Open by Thiago Agustín Tirante on Saturday. The Argentine, ranked No. 50, prevailed 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 44 minutes against a Djokovic visibly struggling with the heat and humidity in Ohio.
A dominant first set, then the collapse
Djokovic had taken full control early on, cruising through the first set 6-2 with authority. But the turning point came early in the second set. Leading 2-1, the 39-year-old Serb began showing clear signs of physical distress: hunched over between points, gasping for air, he eventually vomited into a towel during a changeover. Medical staff checked his blood pressure and placed ice towels on his legs.
Djokovic attempted to continue after a three-minute medical timeout but never regained his level. A marathon 24-point game featuring nine deuces encapsulated his battle against his own body as much as against his opponent. Tirante, steady and patient, seized every opening to take control of the second set and then the third.
Djokovic reveals chronic health condition
"It was not an enjoyable match for me," Djokovic told reporters. The three-time Cincinnati Open champion disclosed a recurring health issue that hampers him in extreme heat: "It's just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years." This was his first match since his Wimbledon semifinal, and the return in such punishing conditions proved too much.
Tirante claims biggest career win
"I think this is the biggest win of my career," Tirante said after breaking into the top 50 for the first time this very week. The 24-year-old Argentine has now beaten three top-10 players this season, confirming his steady rise on tour. He will face the winner of the Humbert-Zheng match in the next round.
With the US Open less than three weeks away, this early exit raises questions about Djokovic's fitness heading into the final Grand Slam of the season. The holder of 24 major titles has played just four tournaments since the start of the 2026 season. (Sources: ATP Tour, ESPN, Tennis Majors, Sky Sports)
