Thiago Agustin Tirante reveals the ‘key’ to beating Novak Djokovic at the Cincinnati Open
Thiago Agustin Tirante stunned Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Cincinnati Open, knocking the three-time champion out at the second round stage.
Djokovic took a routine first set 6-2, but the Argentine fought back to take the next two sets and end Djokovic’s campaign in Cincinnati at the very first stage.
The Serbian was one of the favourites to win the title without Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner present, but his health issues kicked in again and he was unable to topple Tirante.
The Argentine took full advantage and he will now play Martina Landaluce for a place in the fourth round of the Masters 1000 tournament.
More Novak Djokovic news
Novak Djokovic drops big retirement hint after shocking meltdown at Cincinnati Open
Novak Djokovic receives fierce backlash after proposed plans to change tennis
Speaking to The Tennis Channel after the upset, Tirante said: “I was very nervous. I think the people saw it in the first set. I think I don’t do very well, you know. It was my first meeting with him. I don’t even practice with him never.
“So it was all new for me to play in the central court here against him. You say Novak and you think tennis, you know? So yeah, I was very nervous, but I think I do very good my job after with my team to give that off.
“I spoke with my team before the match, [they said] ‘Never give up’. I think that’s was the key, keep believing in me and and in my team because it was very very tough but I think that helped me because I don’t have more nerves after that game because I very tired.”
As for Djokovic, the star did not rule out another return to the Cincinnati Open before he retires from tennis.
Speaking in his post-match press conference about returning to the Cincinnati Open, Djokovic said: “I certainly hope so, but unfortunately, at this point it seems more likely that I won’t. However, we’ll see what the future holds.”
Djokovic was playing the Cincinnati Open for the first time since 2023, when he lifted the title. The star has collected three titles at the Ohio event, but this was the first time he has been knocked out of the second round of the tournament since 2007.
That came against Carlos Moya, who retired in 2010, which gives you a sense of the incredible longevity Djokovic has endured on the ATP Tour.
The star’s next tournament is set to be the US Open, where he will continue his quest to win a 25th Grand Slam title. He will very likely be the fifth seed for the Flushing Meadows tournament, depending on the results of the Cincinnati Open.
