Jannik Sinner joins Carlos Alcaraz in withdrawing from Cincinnati Open with US Open looming
ATPSunday, 09 August 2026 at 18:03
Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, joining Carlos Alcaraz on the list of major absentees from the final ATP Masters 1000 tournament before the US Open. The World No. 1 will miss the August 13-23 event because of a right knee problem, leaving him without a hard-court tournament before the final Grand Slam of the season unless he returns to competition in New York.
Sinner’s withdrawal follows several days of treatment for the knee issue, with the Italian working with his medical team since the conclusion of Wimbledon. The 24-year-old has now decided that he is not ready to compete in Cincinnati, making recovery his priority with the US Open scheduled to begin on August 31.
The decision comes less than a month after Sinner captured his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. The Italian defeated Alexander Zverev in the final to successfully defend his title at the All England Club and strengthened his position at the top of the PIF ATP Rankings. He will now have more than three weeks to continue his recovery before the US Open begins.
Cincinnati had already lost Alcaraz, who remains sidelined with a wrist injury. Sinner’s withdrawal therefore removes the two highest-ranked players from the tournament and leaves Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime as the leading seeds. Novak Djokovic, however, remains in the field and is scheduled to return to competition after missing the Canadian Open.
Sinner leaves Cincinnati without a hard-court match
Sinner has not competed since his Wimbledon triumph, where he defeated Zverev in four sets to claim his second consecutive title at the All England Club. The victory took his Grand Slam tally to five and continued a season in which he has established himself as the leading player in the PIF ATP Rankings.
The Italian had been expected to use Cincinnati as his final competitive preparation for the US Open. Instead, his withdrawal means that he will arrive in New York without playing a hard-court tournament during the North American swing. That does not rule out his participation at Flushing Meadows, but it leaves his physical condition and match readiness as key factors heading into the tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz consoling Jannik Sinner after 2025 Cincinnati Open final
“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 in a statement. "My right knee has been bothering me, and even though we have been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept that I’m not ready to compete yet.
I’m very disappointed not to be able to play in Cincinnati and wish Bob [Moran] and his whole team a great and successful event. I can’t wait to be back next year, and I’m now focusing on getting ready for the US Open.”
Cincinnati has historically been a productive tournament for Sinner. He owns a 12-4 record at the Masters 1000 event and captured the title in 2024. Last year, he reached the final before losing to Alcaraz, earning 600 ranking points as runner-up. His withdrawal this year means those points will come off his total, although his position at No. 1 is not immediately threatened.
The Italian had been receiving treatment for the knee problem in the days following Wimbledon, including physiotherapy, as he worked toward a return. With Cincinnati no longer part of his schedule, the focus shifts entirely to his recovery and preparation for the US Open, where he will seek to continue his Grand Slam season after victories at Wimbledon and earlier in the year.
Cincinnati loses Sinner and Alcaraz before US Open
Sinner’s withdrawal leaves Cincinnati facing a situation similar to the Canadian Open, which also lost several of its biggest names before the tournament. Alcaraz had already confirmed that he would not compete in Ohio as he continues his recovery from a wrist injury. The absence of both players significantly changes the top of the draw and creates an opportunity for the remaining contenders.
Zverev now becomes the leading seed in the field, while Auger-Aliassime is also among the highest-ranked players scheduled to compete. The German will have an opportunity to reduce the gap behind Sinner in the rankings, although the Italian’s lead remains substantial.
Zverev had already been presented with an opportunity to gain ground earlier in the North American swing but was eliminated in the opening round of the Canadian Open by Tallon Griekspoor.
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Djokovic provides Cincinnati with a major name who remains scheduled to compete. The Serbian will return to the tour as part of his preparation for the US Open, giving the tournament a former champion and one of the most experienced hard-court players in the field. His presence also gives the event a different dynamic following the withdrawals of Sinner and Alcaraz.
For Sinner, the priority is now the US Open. The tournament begins on August 31, giving him additional time to recover from the knee problem and prepare for the hard courts of New York. Whether he arrives fully fit and match-ready will depend on his progress over the next three weeks, but Cincinnati will no longer provide the competitive test he had originally planned before the final Grand Slam of 2026.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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