Jannik Sinner, the current top-ranked male tennis player globally, has pulled out of the Cincinnati Open due to a knee injury. This decision comes after his absence from the National Bank Open in Montreal last week following his consecutive Wimbledon victories. The 24-year-old Sinner, holding five Grand Slam titles, only lacks a French Open win to complete the prestigious career Grand Slam.
In a statement relayed by tournament officials, the Italian expressed his disappointment in withdrawing from the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati due to ongoing discomfort in his right knee. Despite extensive efforts with his medical team, Sinner acknowledged his current inability to compete and emphasized his anticipation for a return next year, redirecting his focus towards preparing for the upcoming U.S. Open.
This development mirrors a similar choice made by Carlos Alcaraz, who cited a persistent wrist injury for his withdrawal from the Cincinnati hard-court event. Consequently, neither Sinner nor Alcaraz, ranked among the top two in the world, will grace the men’s singles event starting Saturday in Cincinnati.
Notably, Sinner claimed the Cincinnati title two years ago, a tournament that traditionally precedes the U.S. Open and serves as a pivotal warmup. His subsequent victory at the U.S. Open marked a significant achievement. In contrast, Alcaraz clinched last year’s U.S. Open title with a four-set win over Sinner, aiming to defend his championship as the main draw of the tournament commences on August 30.