Novak Djokovic reveals health condition struggles after collapsing at match

Novak Djokovic has come clean on his health after struggling in the heat at the Cincinnati Masters.

The 24-time major champion struggled against Thiago Agustin Tirante after dropping to his hands and knees at certain points on Sunday.

He won the first set 6-2 but then lost the next two 6-4 as he battled the heat and humidity in Ohio.

Djokovic, who even appeared to vomit at one stage, was forced to take medical timeouts in the match that lasted two hours and 45 minutes.

The Serb, who is now 39, said after the match: “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.”

The former number one went on to say that he thinks he may have played his last match in Cincinnati.

“It looks like I won’t be back, unfortunately, to play here,” he admitted.

“It was a combination of the heat and humidity, all those things.

“Everything involved makes it worse.”

Tirante, meanwhile, said it could be ‘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,” the Argentine, who will face Martin Landaluce in the next round, added.

“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.

“Thinking about my family and my friends that are in Argentina watching me, they are really happy to watch me on TV… They are in Argentina, but they are in my head as well.”

Djokovic now has two weeks to regroup before the start of the US Open on 30 August.