World number one Jannik Sinner has pulled out of this week’s Cincinnati Open because of a problem with his right knee. The Italian tennis star says he is disappointed to miss the Masters 1000 tournament but remains focused on recovering in time for the US Open.bbc+1
Sinner Delays His Return
Sinner has not played since winning the Wimbledon title last month. The 24-year-old defeated Alexander Zverev in the final to claim the fifth Grand Slam singles title of his career.
The Cincinnati Open was expected to be his first tournament since that victory. However, continuing discomfort in his right knee has forced him to postpone his return to competitive tennis.
“After consulting with my doctors and my team, I have to announce that I need to withdraw from the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati,” Sinner said.
He added that his medical team had been working hard on the problem, but he was still not ready to compete at the highest level.
Italian Remains Positive About US Open
Sinner described the decision as disappointing but said he would now concentrate on his preparations for the final Grand Slam tournament of the season.
“I’m very disappointed not to be able to play in Cincinnati,” the Italian said. “I can’t wait to be back next year and I’m now focusing on getting ready for the US Open.”
His withdrawal has raised questions about his fitness, especially because Cincinnati was one of the final major preparation events before the New York tournament. However, Sinner has not indicated that he expects to miss the US Open.
The hard-court Grand Slam begins on 30 August and runs until 13 September.
Cincinnati Loses Its Top Two Players
Sinner’s absence is another major blow for the Cincinnati Open. World number two Carlos Alcaraz will also miss the event while recovering from a wrist injury.
The Spaniard has not played since the Barcelona Open in April. He was due to return to Cincinnati as the defending champion, having won the tournament in 2025.
Alcaraz defeated Sinner in last year’s final after the Italian retired while trailing 5-0 because of illness. This time, neither of the two highest-ranked players will appear in the tournament.olympics+1
Zverev and Djokovic Still in the Draw
Despite the withdrawals of Sinner and Alcaraz, the Cincinnati Open will still feature several leading players.
Alexander Zverev is expected to compete after reaching the Wimbledon final, while 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic is also listed among the participants. The tournament’s main draw begins on 13 August, with the final scheduled for 23 August.atptour
Sinner’s decision also means that he will miss both major hard-court tournaments traditionally used as preparation for the US Open. The world number one had already withdrawn from the Montreal event earlier in the summer.nytimes
Injury Adds to Growing List of Withdrawals
The 2026 Cincinnati Open has suffered a series of high-profile withdrawals. Alongside Sinner and Alcaraz, several other established players are expected to miss the tournament because of injuries or fitness concerns.
The absence of both leading players significantly changes the competitive landscape. It also gives rivals such as Zverev and Djokovic a valuable opportunity to gain momentum and ranking points before the US Open.
For Sinner, however, the priority is avoiding a longer-term problem. After a demanding season and another Grand Slam triumph, the Italian appears unwilling to risk worsening his knee injury by returning too early.
Sinner’s US Open Preparation
The US Open will be the main target for Sinner over the next few weeks. His team will now have additional time to monitor the knee and determine whether he can resume full training before the tournament begins.
Missing Cincinnati is a setback, but it may also allow the Italian to recover properly rather than compete without being fully fit. His participation in New York will depend on his progress during the remaining weeks of August.
For now, Sinner remains hopeful that he will be ready to defend his position at the top of men’s tennis when the final Grand Slam of the year gets underway.
