Novak Djokovic’s latest match against Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante offered another stark reminder of the physical challenge he is trying to manage as he extends his career. Midway through the contest, Djokovic turned to his team, and it was plain he was struggling to find answers to an issue that has troubled him for some time.

At 39, Djokovic is still producing a level that few players could match, especially against opponents often close to half his age. His durability and commitment have been central to his decision to keep playing into his 40th year, and his results over the past couple of seasons have supported that choice.

But injuries are only part of the story. The Serbian has also continued to battle problems when heat and humidity rise, and those conditions again exposed a vulnerability that can shape the biggest matches. He would likely have beaten Tirante comfortably had he not suffered that physical collapse in the daytime heat in Cincinnati.

After the defeat, Djokovic was candid about how he felt, saying: “It was not an enjoyable match for me, for sure,” he said after his latest defeat. “The way I felt… Not the first and I guess not the last time, but it is what it is.”

He later described a health issue that has affected him for the past couple of years, adding: “It’s just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years. A lot of issues, especially when it is humid and it is hot.

“I did anticipate it, but there are all these things, like nerves and everything involved that make it worse, and that’s what happened.”

Djokovic also indicated he was unsure whether he would return to the Cincinnati Open, a notable shift from his usual parting line about coming back next year. As he continues to chase a 25th Grand Slam title, physical problems and the form of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz keep narrowing the path. At this stage, Djokovic may need several factors to align before another major breakthrough becomes possible.

Alex Eala has been one of the busiest players on the WTA Tour this summer, with her results on grass and in the early stages of the North American hardcourt swing drawing plenty of attention. The 21-year-old first lifted a Challenger trophy in Birmingham, then carried that momentum into a run to the semi finals of the Berlin Open and the fourth round of Wimbledon.

Her form only improved after that. Eala claimed her first WTA title at the Washington Open before adding a round of 16 appearance at the Canadian Open. Those results have confirmed her rise, but they have also led to growing concern about how much tennis she has already played.

The workload is only increasing. Eala has played more than anyone else on the WTA Tour, and there is little sign of that easing as she heads into the Cincinnati Open and the final Grand Slam of the season. She has also been confirmed for an exhibition match during US Open opening week, adding another commitment to an already crowded stretch.

Eala will face her friend Iva Jovic in the tournament’s ‘Stars of the Open’, set for 6pm on Thursday, August 27 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. At the same time, she is due to compete in the US Open Mixed Doubles alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime at the start of opening week.

That leaves very little room for recovery or preparation. If Eala were to reach the second week at the US Open, she would effectively be playing eight straight weeks of tennis dating back to the Washington Open. For any player, that is a demanding schedule, and it is difficult to ignore the risk attached to such a heavy load.

There is also no immediate respite after New York, with Eala already entered for the Singapore Open in September during the WTA Tour’s Asian swing. Her rise has been impressive, but the question now is how long this pace can last.

Alex Eala’s profile has climbed sharply during the 2026 season, to the point that she has become one of the WTA Tour’s most in-demand attractions.

Her appeal has been visible in several corners of the calendar. She first captured attention at the Australian Open at the start of the year, then carried that momentum into the Middle East through the Abu Dhabi Open and the Qatar Open.

The next surge came during the North American hardcourt swing. The 21-year-old impressed crowds by winning the Washington Open title, before Toronto delivered another clear sign of her growing pull. The Canadian Open was heavily impacted by her presence, with evening sessions featuring Eala selling out well in advance.

A tournament director described the response as “just unprecedented.” That reaction reflected more than full stands. It also captured the way interest built steadily over time, beginning in February in Doha and continuing through the year until it reached its peak during the tournament week in Toronto.

“We’ve never seen anything like that in Toronto before. It was unexpected. We saw the momentum build from February in Doha, and over the past year. And it really culminated in the week of, which every match she played it sold out,” he continued.

“She was just so engaging with her fans and the community. It was really beautiful to see her so loyal to her fans. I think one of the uniquenesses about this event in particular this year was, in the past we saw tens of flags from various nations throughout.

“This year we saw hundreds and thousands of flags. Last night you saw the engagement of the fans with each other, which was great to see. In addition to that, you saw the fans staying until the end of the session for the whole tournament.”

The event’s organisers are now set to reassess their approach for next year after seeing how strongly Eala resonated with the crowd. Hale said the experience offered a clear lesson in connecting with fans, especially new ones, and in serving Toronto’s multicultural community more broadly.

Eala now moves on to the Cincinnati Open, where she will attempt to extend her strong run. She is scheduled to face Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the opening round of the Masters event.