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Photo by Pam Smith/Wick Photography for Cincinnati Open Learn more about Djokovic conqueror By Grant Thompson “It’s going to be one of the days that I will remember for all of my life.” Those were the words of Thiago Agustin Tirante before even stepping on court to face 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic. The Argentine was ecstatic to go toe to toe with a sporting icon. Upsetting the all-time leader in ATP Masters 1000 titles? That is another level of excitement for the 25-year-old, who shocked three-time Cincinnati Open titlist Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday. “This is the best win of my career,” Tirante said in his on-court interview. “I think I did a really good job inside the court. I managed it very well, the nerves and playing against a legend like Novak.” Who is the relatively unknown Tirante? Continue reading to learn more about the emerging player. Where the dream started Tirante began playing tennis as soon as he could walk, alongside his grandfather. It was only fitting that among Tirante’s first calls after his memorable win was to his grandfather. “I spoke with my dad and grandfather,” Tirante said, hardly an hour removed from his win. “I’m going to call my mom as well. I think this is a very, very important moment for me and my family as well. I play tennis for this kind of moment.” What were his dreams as a child? “To win the US Open,” Tirante recalled, noting he prefers hard courts to clay — unconventional for an Argentine. “That was the one.” Tirante’s tattoo, more than ink Tirante has a tattoo on his chest that reads, “If you can dream, you can do it”. He proudly lived by that motto in front of a packed P&G Center Court crowd. “I did this tattoo when I was 14 or 15 years old,” Tirante once told ATPTour.com. “I really like the words. I always remember these words. It’s a lot for me because I have it on my body and also in my mind. I always think of those words. It is very significant to me.” History for Argentina highlights breakthrough season Only four players from Argentina have defeated Djokovic: Tirante, Guillermo Coria, David Nalbandian and Juan Martin del Potro, the latter three who all ascended to World No. 3 throughout their standout careers. Tirante is the first since Del Potro at the 2016 Rio Olympics, ending Djokovic’s 22-match winning streak against Argentines. “After the match, [I was] thinking about my family, my friends who are in Argentina watching me,” Tirante said. “I think they are really happy to watch me on TV. It’s very special for them, and for me as well. They are in Argentina, but they are in my head as well.” Tirante has only begun making a splash at ATP Tour level. Just 10 days ago, he ousted recent Washington champion Taylor Fritz en route to a fourth-round run in Montreal. He has tallied a career-best 24 tour-level match wins this season, having entered the year with just 10 in his career. After starting 2026 outside the Top 100, Tirante began this week at a career-high No. 50. Thriving under spotlight Still early in his days competing on the sport’s biggest stages, Tirante is not afraid of standing across from the world’s elite. He holds an impressive 4-1 record against Top-10 opponents. “I trust in myself. I think I can separate what they do for the sport and what I have to do to win that match. I think that’s the most important thing when you play with one of these big guys,” Tirante said. “I play more free because I have nothing to lose and I like the big stadiums. I think the most important thing is that I enjoy it.” Interactions with Federer, Nadal & more While Tirante’s clash with Djokovic marked his only meeting with a ‘Big Three’ member, the Argentine had previously practiced with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and other stars at the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals. “I think it’s a privilege to share a court with Novak, almost a three-hour match with so much intensity and I think the people liked it,” Tirante said. “Everyone there was crazy, screaming or something like that. I enjoyed it so much. I think it’s for sure one of the best days of my life.”