Novak Djokovic suffered a shock elimination in his first look since Wimbledon, dropping to Thiago Agustin Tirante within the second spherical of the 2026 Cincinnati Masters. The Serbian took the opening set however struggled within the sweltering circumstances earlier than finally succumbing after 2 hours and 44 minutes.
Djokovic was enjoying his first match since his semifinal loss at Wimbledon. Heading into the Masters 1000 match in Ohio, the place he had a 10-match successful streak and had lifted the title in 2023, Djokovic mentioned his physique had “reacted fairly properly after Wimbledon” and felt higher than it had after any Grand Slam within the earlier two years.
However the warmth and humidity quickly took their toll.
After the primary changeover, Djokovic collapsed to his knees in exhaustion and obtained a medical timeout. He was shielded by towels throughout the break as he threw up.
Regardless of his struggles, the 39-year-old continued to struggle, saving 13 of the 15 break factors he confronted towards world No. 50 Tirante. However his resistance lastly gave means when his serve was damaged within the ninth sport of the deciding set, permitting Tirante to serve out the match.
After the defeat, Djokovic revealed that an unspecified well being situation has made it notably troublesome for him to play in scorching and humid circumstances.
“It’s only a situation that I’ve, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the previous couple of years,” Djokovic mentioned. “Loads of points, particularly when it’s humid and it’s scorching. I did anticipate it (can be humid), however there are all these items, like nerves and every thing concerned that make it worse, and that’s what occurred.”
Djokovic has loved appreciable success in Cincinnati, boasting a 45-13 document and three titles, in 2018, 2020 and 2023. However after his newest defeat, he admitted he was not sure whether or not he would return to the match once more.
“I definitely hope so, however it seems to be extra probably not, sadly,” Djokovic mentioned. “However let’s see what the long run brings.”
Djokovic’s quick focus now turns to the US Open, which begins on August 30 in New York.
