"Something needs to change": Alejandro Davidovich Fokina lambasts Cincinnati Open for poor scheduling after Jannik Sinner retirement from final

Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has lashed out at the organisers and called for a change in the schedule of the Cincinnati Open. The ATP 1000 event came to an end on Monday with the final between world number one Jannik Sinner and number two-ranked player Carlos Alcaraz.

The final, which was the fourth between the two players in the last four months, became a short one as Sinner was forced to retire because of illness. The final score of the match was 5-0. Davidovich Fokina, in a post on his official account on social media platform X, criticised the authorities for having the tournament final on Monday, which starts at 3 PM. “A Monday final at 3 PM in August in Cincinnati, after the whole Toronto–Cincinnati swing, with so many retirements and players dead tired… something needs to change,” he wrote.

Sinner’s retirement from the Monday’s contest means that his participation in the upcoming US Open mixed doubles event remains doubtful as well. He was set to play with the Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova and was due to face the pair of Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic on Tuesday.

Talking after the match, Sinner apologised to the fans sitting in the arena and stated that he had not been feeling great since Monday and was hoping that things would become better overnight. However, Sinner admitted that things only became worse, and he failed to complete the match.

“Usually, I start with the opponent but today I have to start with you guys,” said Sinner. “I am super sorry to disappoint you. From yesterday, I didn’t feel great. I thought I would improve during the night. It became worse. I tried to come out and make it at least a small match but I couldn’t handle more. I’m very sorry for all of you. I know some of you on Monday, maybe had to work or do something else, so I’m very sorry. Of course, Carlos congrats. Another title. Not the way you wanted to win but it’s amazing what kind of season you’re producing. You and your whole team are doing amazingly. Keep it up. I wish you only all the best for the U.S. Open and the rest of the season.”

It is not clear whether Sinner will be able to recover in time to feature in the upcoming US Open as well, where he is set to defend his title, which he lifted last year after beating America’s Taylor Fritz in the final. On the other hand, Alcaraz’s next assignment will be the US Open mixed doubles event as well. He will partner Emma Raducanu and the two will play their first match against the pair of America’s Jessica Pegula and Britain’s Jack Draper.

Talking right after the match, Alcaraz was also sympathetic towards Sinner and stated that it was not the way he wanted to win the title. Alcaraz also went on to express optimism that Sinner will be able to return to full fitness and feature in the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, which will begin from August 24.

“This is not the way that I want to win trophies, I just have to say sorry, I can understand how you must feel now,” said Alcaraz to Sinner. “As you said Jannik this isn’t the way I want to win matches, to win a trophy. I just got to say sorry. I know and understand how you can feel right now. All I can say… as I said many times, you are truly a champion. I’m pretty sure from this situation you’re going to come back better, even stronger. You always do. That’s what true champions do. You really are one. Sorry and come back stronger.”