Novak Djokovic, 39, lost to world No. 50 Thiago Agustín Tirante in a three-set match at the Cincinnati Open on August 15, 2026, with a final score of 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. The match lasted around two and a half hours and was held under oppressive conditions, with temperatures in the mid-80s Fahrenheit and humidity in the low 90s [8].
Djokovic struggled physically throughout the match due to heat and humidity. He called a medical timeout after an 18-minute third game in the second set and was treated by a physiotherapist and a doctor [1, 2, 5, 6, 7]. The Serbian star dropped to his knees and vomited during play, showing the severity of his condition [1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 7]. After losing the second set, both players took a break in the locker room to cool down before resuming the deciding set [1, 2, 5, 6, 7].
Djokovic acknowledged his ongoing health issues worsened by the weather. "It's just the condition that I have health-wise. It’s been bothering me for the last couple of years. And a lot of issues, especially when it’s humid and hot," he said [4]. He added, "It hasn’t been a pleasant match for me. That’s just how it is. It’s because of a health issue I have. I’ve been dealing with it for many years now." [8]
This was Djokovic's first match since his July 2026 Wimbledon semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner [1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7]. The 24-time Grand Slam champion indicated this may be his last appearance at Cincinnati due to his health struggles, saying, "I certainly hope so, but it looks more likely not, unfortunately." [9, 8, 7]
Tirante called the upset the biggest win of his career. "I managed the nerves of playing a legend like Novak. It was all so much pressure," Tirante said. He also expressed personal sentiments, saying, "I'm thinking about my family and my friends who are in Argentina right now. They are in Argentina, but they are in my heart as well." [1, 2]
Djokovic, a three-time Cincinnati Open champion with his latest title in 2023, won the first set but was broken at 4-5 in the final set after saving three break points earlier in the game [5, 6, 7]. Tirante will face Martin Landaluce in the third round [2, 7].
Djokovic has prioritized grand slams and Olympics in 2026, taking only three non-major tournaments seriously at age 39 [4, 9]. The Cincinnati Open defeat under extreme heat and humidity underscores the physical challenges he is managing as he continues his career [7].
