A Surprising First-Round Exit in Ohio
Novak Djokovic's build-up to the 2026 US Open hit a bump last week when he was beaten by world No. 50 Thiago Agustin Tirante at the Cincinnati Masters, dropping 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. Djokovic controlled the opening set, but the brutal afternoon heat and humidity in Mason, Ohio, took a clear physical toll as the match wore on. After the defeat, the 39-year-old admitted he has been managing a health condition that creates serious problems in hot and humid conditions, one that has been affecting him for several years. The revelation naturally sparked questions about his readiness for the final Grand Slam of the year.
Roddick Urges Calm Ahead of Flushing Meadows
Andy Roddick, who won the US Open back in 2003, addressed the situation directly on his Served podcast and urged fans not to overreact. He pointed out that Djokovic is 39, has not been playing regular tour matches, and walked into Cincinnati facing an opponent who competes week in and week out. Roddick noted that match sharpness matters for everyone, even the greatest players in history.
Still, Roddick was quick to add that Masters 1000 results simply matter less for Djokovic than for almost anyone else on tour. He predicted that when he looks at the US Open draw, his first instinct will be that Djokovic is probably reaching the semifinals. Roddick also framed the Cincinnati appearance as a net positive: two weeks of competitive heat, intense practice sessions against top-ten caliber players, and genuine match preparation before Flushing Meadows begins. Djokovic, of course, is chasing history at the US Open, where a title would make him the oldest Grand Slam singles champion ever.
TennisDraw users have already made Djokovic one of the most popular deep-run picks in early US Open bracket predictions.
