Jannik Sinner, the current top-ranked men’s tennis player in the world, pulled out of the Cincinnati Open due to a knee injury. Sinner, who had not played since winning his second consecutive Wimbledon title last month, also opted out of the National Bank Open in Montreal, which commenced the previous week. At 24 years old, Sinner boasts five Grand Slam championships and is only a French Open victory away from completing the coveted career Grand Slam.
In a statement relayed by tournament officials, the Italian player expressed his regret at having to withdraw from the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati. Sinner cited ongoing issues with his right knee despite intensive efforts with his medical team, acknowledging that he is not yet fit to compete. He conveyed his disappointment at missing out on Cincinnati but eagerly anticipates returning next year, focusing now on preparing for the upcoming U.S. Open.
Sinner’s decision to withdraw from the tournament aligns with a similar choice made by Carlos Alcaraz, who announced his withdrawal from the Cincinnati hard-court competition due to a persistent wrist injury. Consequently, fans at Cincinnati will be deprived of watching the top two players in the world when the men’s singles matches kick off on Saturday.
Notably, Sinner claimed the Cincinnati title two years ago, traditionally a crucial stop on the tennis calendar leading up to the U.S. Open. His victory in Cincinnati preceded his triumph at the U.S. Open in the same year. In contrast, last year saw Alcaraz emerging victorious over Sinner in a four-set final at the U.S. Open, becoming the new champion. The 23-year-old Spaniard is now gearing up to defend his title as the main draw of the tournament commences on August 30.