Novak Djokovic reveals unspecified health issue following ouster at the Cincinnati Open

TennisNovak Djokovic reveals unspecified health issue following ouster at the Cincinnati OpenThe tennis star struggled through a match, ultimately losing in the second round to a 25-year-old Argentine player.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Novak Djokovic of Serbia during a match against Thiago Agustín Tirante of Argentina on Day 5 of the Cincinnati Open on Saturday.Emilee Chinn / Getty ImagesShareAdd to GoogleAug. 16, 2026, 10:30 AM EDTBy Doha MadaniTennis star Novak Djokovic alluded to a health condition after an early exit from the Cincinnati Open on Saturday, in which he lost to 25-year-old Thiago Agustín Tirante in the second round.Djokovic, 39, was visibly struggling throughout the match and appeared to vomit at one point, requiring a medical timeout. The match lasted nearly three hours before Tirante ultimately took down the 24-time Grand Slam champion.It was “not an enjoyable” match, Djokovic told reporters after the loss.“It’s just a condition that I have, healthwise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years,” Djokovic said. “A lot of issues, especially when it is humid and it is hot.”The Serbian star did not name or elaborate on the health issue. He had anticipated the humidity heading into the match but noted that other factors, including nerves, “make it worse.”Novak Djokovic during the match on Saturday.Emilee Chinn / Getty ImagesDjokovic congratulated Tirante after the match. Tirante, for his part, called the win potentially the best of his career and praised Djokovic as one of the most important figures the sport has ever seen.“I think I really did a good job inside the court,” Tirante said. “I managed very well the nerves of playing against a legend like Novak.”Djokovic saved 13 of the 15 break points he faced, but Tirante broke his serve in the ninth game of the final set and served out the match, winning 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in 2 hours and 44 minutes.Djokovic has long dominated at the Cincinnati Open, but Saturday’s loss...