World number one Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the upcoming Cincinnati Open, according to an announcement made by tournament organizers on Sunday.
“Following discussions with my medical staff and coaches, I must share the news that I am pulling out of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 event,” Sinner explained in an official statement released by the tournament.
“I have been experiencing issues with my right knee, and despite the dedicated efforts of my physical therapy team, I must face the reality that I am not yet fit to play,” he went on to say.
With the Cincinnati Open set to run from August 11 through August 23, the event wraps up just a week prior to the start of the US Open main draw. This timing raises doubts about whether Sinner will be able to participate in the final Grand Slam of the year, which he claimed in 2024.
By contrast, Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Sinner’s absence in Cincinnati is merely a safety measure, and he intends to practice in New York to prepare for the US Open.
The 24-year-old Sinner made it to the final of the Cincinnati Open last year but was forced to pull out during the opening set because of sickness. This served as a preview for their rematch three weeks later in the US Open final, where Carlos Alcaraz triumphed once again in a four-set battle.
Sinner has been out of competitive action since July 12, when he secured the Wimbledon title by beating Alexander Zverev in four sets. Since that victory, he has also bypassed the Canadian Open in Toronto. Earlier in the season, Sinner captured Masters 1000 trophies at the Italian Open, the Madrid Open, the Miami Open, and the Indian Wells Open.
Regrettably, the absence of Sinner leaves the Cincinnati Open without some of its biggest star appeal. World No. 2 Alcaraz is also skipping this week’s tournament as he recovers from a wrist issue that has kept him out of action since April. Consequently, he was sidelined for both the French Open and Wimbledon, leaving his participation in the upcoming US Open up in the air.
