Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, experienced a significant upset at the Cincinnati Open, falling to Argentina's Thiago Tirante. The defeat, which saw Djokovic struggling visibly with the heat and humidity, marked his earliest exit from the tournament in his career.
Tirante, ranked 50th in the world, secured the victory with scores of 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. Djokovic, seeded fifth and making his first appearance since a Wimbledon semi-final loss in July, acknowledged the challenging conditions. "It was not an enjoyable match for me, for sure," Djokovic stated after the match. "The way I felt. Not the first and I guess not the last time, but it is what it is."
Djokovic, 39, appeared to struggle throughout the latter stages of the match, taking a medical timeout and reportedly vomiting during the second set. After a lengthy 18-minute game early in the second set, Djokovic's performance declined significantly. A physio and doctor provided on-court assistance, and both players took a break between the second and third sets.
Following the resumption of play, Djokovic lost his serve in the ninth game of the final set, a crucial moment that allowed Tirante to serve out the match. Tirante described the win as the "best win of my career," highlighting the pressure of facing a legendary opponent.
Djokovic indicated that an underlying health condition has been affecting him for the past few years, exacerbating issues during hot and humid weather. He has never failed to reach at least the round of 32 in this Ohio tournament since his debut in 2005. Tirante's victory represents a significant milestone in his professional career.
In other Cincinnati Open news, Britain's Arthur Fery secured a win against Australia's Jack Duckworth on his return to the tournament.