"I don’t think it’s anything serious": Jannik Sinner’s coach calms fears after US Open abdominal scare

Jannik Sinner's coach, Simone Vagnozzi, spoke about the physical challenges the world No. 1 faced during the US Open semifinals. The Italian player overcame a struggling Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets to advance to his fifth consecutive Grand Slam final, where he will once again face Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner has reached all four Grand Slam finals in 2025, in addition to the 2024 US Open final, making a total of five in a row. The Italian has been an unstoppable force in major tournaments and is now just one victory away from defending his US Open title. This could be his fifth major title—four on hardcourts—and he'll be looking to avenge his loss in the Cincinnati Open final just weeks prior.

Sinner had to retire after only five games against Alcaraz in the Cincinnati final due to health issues, ceding the title to the Spaniard. The Italian focused on the US Open as his main objective and decided to withdraw from the match to prevent any further physical complications.

During his notable campaign at Flushing Meadows, Sinner seemed to experience some physical discomfort against Auger-Aliassime. He requested medical assistance in the second set after feeling some pain that limited his serve and raised questions about his physical condition.

Tension filled Arthur Ashe Stadium, but Vagnozzi was emphatic during an interview with UbiTennis: "He had only a little abdominal discomfort at one point, but after treatment with the physiotherapist it went away, so I don’t think it’s anything serious. When he came back from treatment, in the first few games he wasn’t sure how he was, so he didn’t force much. Then he started to push and the serve improved, so I think he’s pretty calm for Sunday.”

The concern for Sinner's physical state grew because the match was more demanding than usual. Auger-Aliassime played an aggressive game and took advantage of the Italian's temporary slump to find openings, especially when Sinner played too much through the middle. "I think maybe at one point he played too much through the middle and Aliassime started using his forehand cross, which hurt him a lot," Vagnozzi acknowledged. "When the other serves the way Aliassime did in the second set and then hits hard right away, it’s not easy to change heights and rhythm.”

The episode inevitably brought back memories of what happened in Cincinnati weeks earlier, where Sinner had to withdraw due to injury. When asked about the similarities, Vagnozzi downplayed the situation and emphasized that it was different. For the coach, these obstacles are also part of a growth process that solidifies the player's place among the elite. "Sometimes matches like this are necessary to appreciate the journey even more. We don’t take anything for granted; reaching another final is really incredible. Let’s see on Sunday."

With four Grand Slam finals in four tournaments this year, the Italian has shown that his consistency is as powerful as his tennis. Sinner will head into the US Open final with a 37-4 record so far this season. "Sometimes you’re tired and you must not show it to the opponent. Today, at a certain point in the second set, his energy dropped a little, and if the opponent sees this, he can gain energy himself. You have to be able to hide your emotions and your physical condition, as Jannik did today.”

The 2025 US Open will once again pit Sinner against Carlos Alcaraz in what is already the most captivating rivalry on the circuit. At Wimbledon, the Spaniard even confessed during the match: "I can't keep up with his rhythm, he hits too hard for me."

However, Vagnozzi isn't taking anything for granted and expects a different duel in New York: “Surely Carlos will try to do something different compared to the Wimbledon final, so we have to prepare. Tomorrow it will be important to put down some tactical ideas. Then you have to go play, enjoy it, go on court with the calm of having played a great tournament, push and see how it goes.”

With the final against Alcaraz as his next challenge, Sinner has already written a unique page in tennis history: four consecutive Grand Slam finals in a single year, something unprecedented for his age in the Open Era. No matter what happens on Sunday, the Italian has solidified his status as an absolute benchmark on the circuit. Vagnozzi summed it up with humility and clarity: “We don’t take anything for granted; reaching another final is incredible.” The abdominal scare in the semifinals will remain just another anecdote in a year that has already turned Sinner into a symbol of a new era.