Novak Djokovic exited the Cincinnati Open in the second round after losing to Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante, revealing that an underlying health condition significantly impacted his performance. The 39-year-old world number five fell 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 to the 50th-ranked opponent on Saturday, marking his first competition since his Wimbledon semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner in July.
The Serbian star visibly struggled throughout the match, collapsing to his hands and knees during the second set and requiring medical attention. Djokovic acknowledged that the Ohio heat and humidity exacerbated his condition, which has troubled him for several years. He attributed his difficulties to a combination of environmental factors, nerves, and the health issue itself.
During his post-match remarks, Djokovic expressed frustration with the situation but remained diplomatic toward his opponent. When questioned about returning to Cincinnati in future years, the three-time champion suggested it was unlikely, though he stopped short of making any definitive statements about his tournament plans moving forward.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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