Tennis star Novak Djokovic is opening up about his years-long private health battle after collapsing during the Cincinnati Open.
“Honestly, it hasn’t been a pleasant match for me. That’s how I’ve felt,” Djokovic, 39, told reporters on Saturday, August 15, after his defeat at the 2026 Cincinnati Open, per Forbes. 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.”
Without disclosing his diagnosis, Djokovic revealed that he has “been dealing with [the condition] for many years now.”
“It causes me a lot of problems, especially when there’s a lot of humidity and heat,” he said. “I did anticipate it [would be humid], but there are all these things, like nerves and everything involved that make it worse, and that’s what happened.”
In the middle of his R2 match on Saturday, Djokovic fell to his knees during the changeover. According to social media footage, the tennis champ also appeared to vomit on the court before requesting a medical timeout.
While speaking with reporters, the pro athlete wasn’t sure if he would return to the Cincinnati Open court in the future.
“Unfortunately, at this point, it seems more likely that I won’t be back next year,” he said. “But let’s see what the future holds, I hope I do.”
Djokovic’s Saturday loss comes months after he announced his exit from the Professional Tennis Players Association, which he cofounded in 2020. (The PTPA is dedicated to unite and mobilize tennis players to create transparency and equity through the sport, per a website description.)
“After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association,” he wrote in a social media statement shared in January. “This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.”
He continued, “I am proud of the vision that Vasek [Pospisil] and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, independent voice – but it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization.”
Despite his PTPA exit, Djokovic wasn’t ready to hang up his racquet for good.
“I will continue to focus on my tennis, my family, and contributing to the sport in ways that reflect my principles and integrity,” he added in his statement. “I wish the players and those involved the best as they move forward, but for me, this chapter is now closed.”
