Novak’s last dance in Cincy?

TIRANTE UPSETS THREE-TIME CHAMPION IN THREE SETS

By Richard Osborn

Novak Djokovic might have played his final match at the Cincinnati Open, a tournament where he made his ATP Masters 1000 main-draw debut more than two decades ago; a tournament he won in 2018, 2020 and 2023.

On Saturday afternoon at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, Djokovic, the all-time leader in both 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,” said Djokovic, who was making his 16th appearance in Cincinnati, where he was riding a 10-match tournament win streak.

Djokovic at times looked compromised on the court. One stretch in particular seemed especially taxing for the 39-year-old Serb: At 1-all in the second set, the two foes played an 18-minute game that featured nine deuce points and stands as the longest game at the ATP Masters 1000 level this year. But Djokovic stopped short of pinning his performance on the summer conditions on P&G Stadium Court.

“No, it’s just the condition that I have health-wise,” he said. “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 back in 2027, he said, “I certainly hope so, but it looks more likely not, unfortunately. But let’s see what the future brings.”

By stepping on the court against Tirante, Djokovic tied Spaniard Feliciano Lopez for most appearances in Masters 1000 series history (139). He also owns Masters 1000 records for most match wins (420), semifinals (80) and finals (60).

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