Djokovic explains health condition and hints at future after vomiting in defeat
· Felix Keith · 2026-08-16T09:55:10+00:00 · nguồn gốc
Novak Djokovic reveals health condition and hints at future after vomiting in defeat
Novak Djokovic's preparations for the US Open took a major blow as he was knocked out of the Cincinnati Open by world number 50 Thiago Agustin Tirante
Novak Djokovic blamed a mystery health condition after suffering a shock defeat at the hands of the world number 50 at the Cincinnati Open.
Djokovic took the first set but went down 2-6 6-4 6-4 to Thiago Agustin Tirante. The 39-year-old struggled massively with the hot and humid conditions in his first tournament since reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
He won the title the last time he played Cincinnati in 2023 and also claimed the title in 2018 and 2020. But the 24-time Grand Slam champion was out of sorts in the tournament, which comes a few weeks before the start of the US Open.
Djokovic called for the physio while leading 6-2, 2-1 and was seen vomiting into a towel before having his blood pressure checked. He was way off the pace from that point and dropped to his knees on the court. His comments post-match sparked further concerns.
"It's just a condition that I have, health-wise, 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.
"I did anticipate it (would be humid), but there are all these things, like nerves and everything involved that make it worse, and that's what happened."
“It was not an enjoyable match for me, for sure, the way I felt,” he added. “Not the first, I guess, not the last time, but it is what it is.”
Asked if he would return to Cincinnati, he said: "I certainly hope so, but it looks more likely not, unfortunately. But let's see what the future brings."
Djokovic has been in the United States for some time, having been busy promoting an upcoming Amazon Prime documentary. His defeat in Cincinnati is an obvious blow as the Serbian had said he was playing there in order to get up to speed for the US Open.
The Grand Slam tournament begins in New York on August 30 and could represent a good chance for Djokovic, given that reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz is a doubt due to the wrist injury that has ruled him out of competition since April.
Alcaraz has missed the French Open and Wimbledon with the injury and was forced to withdraw from the Cincinnati Open, where he had hoped to make his return. The Spaniard has been training in Murcia and will have to make a call on the US Open soon.
World No.1 Jannik Sinner is also far from 100 per cent, having skipped Cincinnati due to a knee injury, saying: “My right knee has been bothering me, and even though we have been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept that I'm not ready to compete yet.”