Djokovic suffers in heat as Tirante inflicts shock defeat

Novak Djokovic, the world's fifth-ranked tennis player, experienced difficulty in the heat during his match against Argentina's Thiago Tirante at the Cincinnati Open. Struggling in the humid conditions, Djokovic faltered and suffered a surprising loss in the second round of the tournament. During the match, Djokovic took a medical timeout, which included kneeling on his hands and knees.

Djokovic, 39, had never faced an early exit in the Cincinnati Open since his debut in 2005. Despite initially winning the first set, Djokovic struggled in the second set, particularly after winning an 18-minute third game. He appeared to vomit twice during the match, prompting assistance from both a physiotherapist and a doctor.

After a brief respite, Djokovic conceded the ninth game of the third set, allowing Tirante to secure the victory. Tirante, despite the pressure of playing against a legend, expressed his satisfaction with the win, stating that it was the best of his career, highlighting the immense pressure he managed to handle.