Novak Djokovic has admitted to struggling with his health following his defeat at the Cincinnati Masters. The world No. 1 was knocked out in the third round by American qualifier Mackenzie McDonald, marking his earliest exit at the tournament since 2011. Speaking to reporters after the match, Djokovic said: "I wasn't feeling my best today. I had some issues with my stomach and my energy levels weren't where I wanted them to be." He added: "It's not an excuse, but I think it's important to be honest about these things. I've been pushing myself a lot this season, and sometimes it catches up with you." Djokovic, who is chasing a historic calendar Grand Slam, will now turn his focus to the US Open, where he will be the defending champion.

Novak Djokovic has revealed he is dealing with an ongoing health condition after a difficult performance at the Cincinnati Open on Sunday. The 39-year-old world No 5, playing his first match since his Wimbledon semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner in July, suffered a 6-2 4-6 4-6 defeat against Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante, ranked No 50 in the world. Djokovic visibly struggled with the heat and humidity in Ohio, collapsing to his hands and knees before taking a medical timeout during the second set.

Djokovic describes match as "not enjoyable"

Speaking to reporters after the defeat, Djokovic acknowledged the challenges he faced during the match. "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," he said. The Serbian star, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, explained that his condition has been affecting him for the past couple of years. "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," he added. Djokovic admitted that nerves and other factors worsened his condition during the match. "I did anticipate it, but there are all these things, like nerves and everything involved that make it worse, and that's what happened," he stated.

Uncertain future for Cincinnati return

When questioned about his potential return to Cincinnati next year, Djokovic expressed uncertainty. "I certainly hope so, but it looks more likely not, unfortunately. But let's see what the future brings," he said. The three-time Cincinnati Open winner has not yet confirmed his participation in the 2027 edition of the tournament.Thiago Agustin Tirante, meanwhile, described his victory over Djokovic as the biggest win of his career, highlighting the significance of the achievement. Djokovic’s latest setback comes after his recent Wimbledon exit, where he lost to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. The US Open, another major tournament, is set to begin on August 30, with coverage available on Sky Sports. Fans can also follow the ATP and WTA Tours live on the same platform.For more on Djokovic’s recent performances, see how he fared against Alcaraz at Roland Garros earlier this year, where he staged a dramatic five-set comeback.