Djokovic suffers in Cincinnati heat, falls to world No. 50 Tirante in second round

Early exit in Cincinnati

Novak Djokovic's return to competitive tennis after more than a month away ended in a second-round defeat at the Cincinnati Open on Saturday, as Argentina's Thiago Agustin Tirante rallied to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in 2 hours and 44 minutes. The 39-year-old Serb, ranked fifth in the world, had received a first-round bye in the ATP Masters 1000 event and was playing his first match since a Wimbledon semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner in July. Djokovic, a three-time Cincinnati champion in 2018, 2020 and 2023, had never failed to reach at least the last 32 of the tournament since his debut in 2005.

Heat takes its toll

Djokovic swept the opening set but began to struggle as conditions worsened, with the temperature at 29°C and 72% humidity. The pivotal moment came in an 18-minute third game of the second set that featured nine deuces and 24 points. Djokovic held serve but dropped to his hands and knees during the exchange and took a medical timeout afterward, during which he vomited. He received treatment to help cool him down as a physio and a doctor came on court with ice towels. Djokovic offered little resistance on return for the remainder of the set, and both players returned to the locker room after Tirante claimed the second set 6-4. Djokovic emerged for the decider in a change of clothes and looked sharper, but the reprieve was temporary.

Djokovic said the conditions were responsible.

It was a combination of the heat and humidity, all those things. Everything involved makes it worse.

Tirante seizes the moment

The 25-year-old Tirante, ranked 50th in the world, served 13 aces and hit 40 winners, including a forehand measured at 193 km/h. He relied on his serve and powerful groundstrokes throughout the match. Djokovic saved 13 of the 15 break points he faced, but in the ninth game of the deciding set, Tirante broke through. Djokovic saved three break points before missing a drop shot that gave Tirante a fourth opportunity, which he converted. Tirante then served out the match, as Djokovic again failed to land a drop shot on match point.

I think this is the best win of my career. I think I really did a good job inside the court. I managed very well the nerves of playing against a legend like Novak.

Tirante will face Spain's Martin Landaluce, ranked 67th, in the third round. Landaluce beat Italy's Matteo Arnaldi 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

What lies ahead

Djokovic's 10-match winning streak in Cincinnati was snapped. He suggested he may not return to the tournament.

It looks like I won't be back, unfortunately to play here.

The U.S. Open begins on August 30, where Djokovic will seek a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title. Elsewhere in the Cincinnati draw, seventh seed Flavio Cobolli, runner-up at the French Open, defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.