Novak Djokovic revealed he has been dealing with an ongoing health condition after his surprise second-round defeat at the Cincinnati Open.
The 39-year-old said the condition was exacerbated by the heat and humidity in Ohio as he visibly struggled in a 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 loss to Argentina's world number 50 Thiago Agustin Tirante on Saturday.
World number five Djokovic, playing his first match since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals in July, slumped to his hands and knees before taking a medical timeout midway through the second set.
He told reporters: "Congrats to my opponent. It was not an enjoyable match for me, for sure. The way I felt ... Not the first and I guess not the last time, but it is what it is."
The 24-time grand slam champion added: "It's just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years.
#novak
The 39-year-old said the condition was exacerbated by the heat and humidity in Ohio as he visibly struggled in a 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 loss to Argentina's world number 50 Thiago Agustin Tirante on Saturday.
World number five Djokovic, playing his first match since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals in July, slumped to his hands and knees before taking a medical timeout midway through the second set.
He told reporters: "Congrats to my opponent. It was not an enjoyable match for me, for sure. The way I felt ... Not the first and I guess not the last time, but it is what it is."
The 24-time grand slam champion added: "It's just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years.
#novak
7 days ago
