Novak Djokovic Is Crashing Out Early in Cincinnati and He Says His Health Has No Answer

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, was absolutely stunned on Saturday, taking a brutal 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 loss to Thiago Agustin Tirante at the Cincinnati Open. This wasn’t just any match for Nole, it was his first time back on court since that tough men’s semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon. You expected a statement, a dominant return, but boy, did we get a shocker instead.

The Legend Fought, But Couldn’t Finish

Look, the 39-year-old fought. He really did. Djokovic managed to save a ridiculous 13 of 15 break points, according to Andy West of ATPTour.com. That’s a warrior’s effort! He even ripped off four games in a row to snag the first set, showing flashes of that unstoppable form we all know. And he was still serving at 4-4 in the third set, hanging tough. But despite all that fight, he just couldn’t lock it down, struggling hard through those final two sets and ultimately watching Tirante walk away with the win.

Thiago Tirante’s Career-Defining Moment

Let’s give credit where it’s due: Thiago Agustin Tirante played out of his mind. The guy piled up 13 aces and saved four of six break points himself. When it was all over, he was hyped, telling West, “I think this is the best win of my career.” You can feel the emotion in that quote! He talked about doing a “good job inside the court” and managing “the nerves of playing against a legend like Novak.” Tirante admitted he felt “relieved” after all the pressure, especially when he couldn’t break serve for a while. He kept believing, and it paid off huge.

After the match, the big man himself opened up about what was really going on out there. Djokovic revealed he was struggling with the humidity, a problem that isn’t new for him. Speaking to The Guardian, he said, “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.” That’s a tough pill to swallow for any athlete, especially a champ trying to get back into the swing of things after Wimbledon.

So, the Cincinnati Open journey ends super early for Djokovic. As for Tirante, he’s earned his spot and will now face Martin Landaluce in the third round. Can he keep this incredible momentum rolling?

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Originally reported by Bleacher Report.