Jannik Sinner, the current top-ranked male tennis player globally, has pulled out of the Cincinnati Open citing a knee injury. Sinner, who hasn’t played since clinching his second consecutive Wimbledon victory last month, also opted out of the National Bank Open in Montreal last week. The 24-year-old Sinner boasts five Grand Slam titles and only lacks a triumph at the French Open to achieve a career Grand Slam.
In an official statement relayed by tournament officials, the Italian player expressed, “After discussions with my medical team, I regret to announce my withdrawal from the Cincinnati Masters 1000 tournament. Despite intensive treatment, my right knee remains problematic, and I acknowledge that I am not yet fit for competition. I’m truly disappointed about missing out on Cincinnati but am eager to return next year and am now concentrating on preparing for the upcoming U.S. Open.”
Sinner’s decision to withdraw comes on the heels of fellow player Carlos Alcaraz also pulling out of the Cincinnati event due to a persistent wrist injury. Consequently, spectators in Cincinnati will miss the opportunity to watch the top two men’s singles players in action when the tournament kicks off this Saturday.
Notably, Sinner claimed the Cincinnati title two years ago, using it as a stepping stone to his subsequent U.S. Open triumph. However, in the previous year, Alcaraz defeated Sinner in the U.S. Open final, and the 23-year-old Spaniard is set to defend his title as the main draw of the tournament commences on August 30.
