Novak Djokovic has raised fresh questions over his future after making a telling admission following his shock defeat at the Cincinnati Open.
The 39-year-old suffered a miserable return to the tournament on Saturday as Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante battled back to claim a stunning 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
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Djokovic had not competed since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals last month and initially appeared on course for a routine win after cruising through the opening set.
But the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s condition deteriorated as the match progressed.
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Djokovic appeared increasingly uncomfortable in the hot and humid conditions and was sick on court as he struggled physically.
The Serbian was also seen gesturing towards his team and seemingly questioning why he was finding the conditions so difficult to handle.
Tirante eventually capitalised as Djokovic’s energy levels dropped, completing the biggest victory of his career.
Yet it was Djokovic’s comments afterwards that will perhaps cause the greatest concern among his supporters.
Asked whether he expected to compete in Cincinnati again, the three-time champion conceded there was a significant possibility he had made his final appearance at the tournament.
“I certainly hope so, but it looks more likely not, unfortunately,” Djokovic said.
“But let’s see what the future brings.”
Djokovic has traditionally avoided putting a timeframe on his eventual retirement and remains determined to compete for the sport’s biggest prizes.
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However, his admission comes as physical problems increasingly become a factor in the closing stages of his remarkable career.
He also confirmed afterwards that an unspecified health condition has been causing difficulties for several years, particularly when temperatures and humidity rise.
“It’s just the condition that I have health-wise,” he explained.
“It’s been bothering me for the last couple of years. And a lot of issues, especially when it’s humid and hot.
“It is all these things. Nerves and everything involved makes it worse. So that’s what happened.”
That will inevitably create concern ahead of the US Open, where Djokovic is expected to resume his pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title later this month.
Conditions in New York can also be brutally hot and humid, presenting another potentially significant physical test.
Djokovic’s performances at Grand Slams have remained impressive despite his advancing years, although his results away from the four biggest tournaments have become increasingly inconsistent.
For Tirante, however, Saturday represented an unforgettable moment.
The Argentine held his nerve despite repeatedly seeing break-point opportunities disappear against one of the most resilient players tennis has produced.
“This is the best win of my career,” Tirante said.
“I really did a good job on the court. I managed very well the nerves of playing against a legend like Novak. Now I feel relieved.
“It is all so much pressure when you cannot break [serve]. I had so many points to break and I couldn’t, so that was the key.
“Keep believing in myself with my team and think about it after the match.”
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