Jannik Sinner, the world number one and reigning Wimbledon champion, has withdrawn from this week's Cincinnati Open because of persistent problems with his right knee but says he expects to be fit for the US Open later this month.
Immediate impact on Cincinnati draw
The 24-year-old Italian, who sealed his fifth Grand Slam singles title by beating Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final last month, has not played since that triumph. In a statement released ahead of the Masters 1000 event, Sinner said consultations with his medical team led to the decision to pull out.
"After consulting with my doctors and my team, I have to announce that I need to withdraw from the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. My right knee has been bothering me and even though we have been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept I'm not ready to compete yet. I'm very disappointed not to be able to play in Cincinnati. I can't wait to be back next year and I'm now focusing on getting ready for the US Open."
Sinner's absence removes the top seed from a tournament that begins its main draw on 13 August with the final scheduled for 23 August. The withdrawal reshuffles potential match-ups and widens the field for other leading names who will now jockey for crucial ranking points and match practice ahead of Flushing Meadows.
Wider context ahead of New York
The Cincinnati entry list was already notable: Alexander Zverev and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic are among the players set to compete. Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, who won the Cincinnati title in 2025, will not be in the field either. The world number two, aged 23, has been absent from competition since April because of a wrist injury sustained after the Barcelona Open.
Sinner's withdrawal follows a difficult end to the 2025 Cincinnati final: Alcaraz led Sinner 5-0 in that match before the Italian retired because of illness. That episode, and the current knee concern, mean Sinner has had a rare spell without competitive matches since his Wimbledon success.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Jannik Sinner (world No. 1, age 24) |
| Tournament withdrawn | Cincinnati Open (Masters 1000) – main draw 13 Aug; final 23 Aug |
| Target event | US Open – 30 Aug to 13 Sep |
The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season, begins in New York on 30 August and runs until 13 September. Sinner has publicly stated his intention to shift focus to preparing for that event, signalling he and his team believe a short period of rest and rehabilitation can restore fitness.
Consequences and questions
From a sporting perspective, Sinner's decision will be watched closely by rivals and organisers. His withdrawal reduces the immediate visibility of the top seed in Cincinnati but preserves the possibility of a fully fit champion arriving in New York. For tournament directors the absence of the world number one is a blow to star power; for other players it is an opening to gain form and ranking momentum in a busy part of the calendar.
- Key dates: Cincinnati main draw 13–23 August; US Open 30 August–13 September.
- Top names affected: Jannik Sinner (withdrawn), Carlos Alcaraz (absent due to wrist), Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic (competing).
- Immediate focus: Sinner targeting recovery and readiness for the US Open.
With grand slam glory fresh in his record and a high-stakes hard-court swing ahead, the coming weeks will determine whether Sinner can convert a period of enforced rest into peak condition for New York or whether the men's title race will be shaped by further absences and fitness concerns.
