Novak’s final dance in Cincy?

TIRANTE UPSETS THREE-TIME CHAMPION IN THREE SETS

By Richard Osborn

Novak Djokovic might need performed his closing match on the Cincinnati Open, a match the place he made his ATP Masters 1000 main-draw debut greater than twenty years in the past; a match he gained in 2018, 2020 and 2023.

On Saturday afternoon on the Lindner Family Tennis Center, Djokovic, the all-time chief in each ATP Masters 1000 (40) and Grand Slam (24) titles, suffered a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 second-round loss to Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante.

“It was not an enjoyable match for me, for sure, the way I felt,” stated Djokovic, who was making his sixteenth look in Cincinnati, the place he was using a 10-match match win streak.

Djokovic at occasions seemed compromised on the courtroom. One stretch specifically appeared particularly taxing for the 39-year-old Serb: At 1-all within the second set, the 2 foes performed an 18-minute recreation that featured 9 deuce factors and stands because the longest recreation on the ATP Masters 1000 stage this 12 months. But Djokovic stopped wanting pinning his efficiency on the summer time situations on P&G Stadium Court.

“No, it’s just the condition that I have health-wise,” he stated. “It’s been bothering me for the last couple of years. A lot of issues, especially when it’s humid and hot. All these things, nerves and everything involved makes it worse, so that’s what happened.”

Asked if he plans to be again in 2027, he stated, “I certainly hope so, but it looks more likely not, unfortunately. But let’s see what the future brings.”

By stepping on the courtroom in opposition to Tirante, Djokovic tied Spaniard Feliciano Lopez for many appearances in Masters 1000 collection historical past (139). He additionally owns Masters 1000 information for many match wins (420), semifinals (80) and finals (60).

The upset stands as the largest win of the 25-year-old Tirante’s profession. Last week, he reached the Round of 16 in Montreal, defeating eighth-ranked Taylor Fritz within the second spherical, 7-5, 6-3.