Novak Djokovic collapses on court and vomits into towel before revealing ‘health issue’ he’s had for ‘many years’

NOVAK DJOKOVIC vomited into his towel on the way to losing his first match since Wimbledon. And the Serbian superstar, 39, went on to reveal a “health issue” that has hampered him for “many years” after having his blood pressure checked and collapsing to his knees during the match. Novak Djokovic struggled physically in the Cincinnati heat Credit: Getty The Serbian was checked over by doctors during the match Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Djokovic made his return to the court against Thiago Tirante in sweltering Cincinnati, having skipped the Canadian Open earlier this month. Things began well enough for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who won the first set 6-2. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Tirante had shown a glimmer of his firepower, however, striking a vicious 120mph winner with the fastest forehand of the 2026 Masters season. After holding serve in a marathon 18-minute third game of the second set, Djokovic appeared completely drained of energy. Djokovic, 39, had his blood pressure taken during a medical timeout Credit: Alamy The 24-time Grand Slam champion suffered physically just a fortnight from the US Open Credit: Getty The former world No1 immediately took a medical timeout and was assessed by doctors and given ice towels to help with recovery. Djokovic looked a shell of himself for the remainder of the second set, losing it 6-4 with the match going into a decider. The Belgrade star did appear to gather some energy back after a post-second set bathroom break. But he dropped the second round contest 2-6 6-4 6-4 after being broken in the crucial ninth game of the third set in a huge blow just two weeks before the US Open. Most read in Tennis BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Djokovic had been playing for the first time since Wimbledon Credit: Shutterstock Editorial After the match, Djokovic said: “First and foremost, I congratulate my opponent today. “Honestly, it hasn’t been a pleasant match for me. That’s how I’ve felt. It hasn’t been the first time, and it won’t be the last. That’s just how it is. “The conditions aren’t the problem. It’s because of a health issue I have. I’ve been dealing with it for many years now. “It causes me a lot of problems, especially when there’s a lot of humidity and heat. “I️ knew these conditions were going to affect me, but there are other things too: the nerves and everything that comes with a match like this. All of that makes the situation worse, and that’s what happened.” Djokovic went on to admit that he is unlikely to ever play in Cincinatti again. Djokovic did not enjoy his outing Ohio Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The three-time former Cincy champion waved goodbye to Cincinnati… likely for good Credit: Getty The three-time former champion in Ohio said: “It looks like I won’t be back, unfortunately to play here. “It was a combination of the heat and humidity, all those things. Everything involved makes it worse.” The US Open is due to commence in 15 days, while Djokovic is also signed up to in the swanky mixed doubles event alongside Aryna Sabalenka on August 26. Tirante, meanwhile, gushed that this was his greatest ever triumph. The Argentine, who will face Jack Draper‘s conqueror Martin Landaluce in the next round, said: “This is the best win of my career. I really did a good job inside 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.” Comment now