Novak Djokovic's health scare has come to light after a shocking defeat by Argentina's Thiago Tirante at the Cincinnati Open in Ohio. The 24-time Grand Slam champion struggled with the hot and humid conditions, taking a medical timeout during the second set before losing 2-6 6-4 6-4.
Djokovic's Health Condition Takes Centre Stage
Djokovic, 39, revealed that he is dealing with an underlying health condition that has been bothering him for the past couple of years. The world number five said, "It's just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years. [It causes] a lot of issues, especially when it is humid and it is hot."
This defeat marks Djokovic's first time failing to reach at least the last 32 of the tournament in Ohio since making his debut in 2005. The Serbian had claimed the first set, but struggled badly after winning an 18-minute third game in the second set. Djokovic appeared to vomit twice during the match, with a physio and a doctor providing on-court assistance.
Tirante's Historic Win
Thiago Tirante, ranked 50th in the world, called the victory the "best win of my career". The Argentine player managed to navigate the nerves of playing a legend like Djokovic and took the pressure in stride. Tirante will now face a new challenge in the next round, having secured a spot in the tournament with his impressive win.
Arthur Fery Makes a Strong Showing
Elsewhere at the Cincinnati Open, Britain's Arthur Fery beat Australia's James Duckworth in his first match since making a shock run to the Wimbledon semi-finals last month. Fery, who had jumped to a career-high world ranking of 36 following his Wimbledon success, won 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-4) in two hours and 34 minutes. The 24-year-old was given a wildcard into his home Grand Slam, having been ranked 114th in the world before the start of the tournament.
Djokovic's defeat serves as a reminder that even the greatest tennis players are not immune to health issues. As the world waits with bated breath to see how Djokovic's condition will affect his future performances, one thing is certain – Tirante's historic win will be remembered for a long time to come.
Source: Joy Online
