Stefanos Tsitsipas mocks unexpected Cincinnati entry after Jannik Sinner’s late withdrawal
ATPMonday, 10 August 2026 at 08:30
Stefanos Tsitsipas has responded with humor to his unexpected entry into the Cincinnati Open main draw after Jannik Sinner withdrew from the ATP Masters 1000 tournament because of a knee injury. The Greek shared a video on social media showing himself struggling to enter a gym before Gael Monfils noticed him and opened the door, using the scene as a playful comparison to his own path into the Cincinnati field.
Tsitsipas initially appeared unlikely to compete in Cincinnati after failing to secure a direct place in the main draw. The former world No. 3 was among the alternates and was first on the waiting list, meaning Sinner’s late withdrawal created the opportunity for him to move into the tournament.
The timing comes during a period of ranking recovery for Tsitsipas. The Greek had fallen outside the Top 80 only weeks ago but has since climbed to No. 53 after improving his results, most notably with a title run at the Gstaad Open on clay at the end of July.
His recent hard-court results have been more mixed, although Tsitsipas progressed to the third round of the Canadian Open after facing difficult opposition. He was eventually eliminated by João Fonseca, while his previous tournament at the DC Open ended in the first round against top seed Alex de Minaur.
Tsitsipas uses Monfils moment to mock Cincinnati situation
The video shared by Tsitsipas shows the Greek attempting to enter a gym while Monfils is training inside. The door is apparently locked, leaving Tsitsipas outside and unable to get in. He eventually knocks on the glass to attract attention, prompting Monfils to walk over and open the door for him.
Monfils then briefly greets Tsitsipas before returning to his training session. Tsitsipas used the interaction as a visual representation of his unusual route into Cincinnati, with the video providing the joke without needing a direct explanation of the situation.
The post came shortly after Sinner’s withdrawal changed the Cincinnati entry list. The Italian was forced to pull out because of a knee injury, allowing Tsitsipas to move into the main draw after initially being positioned as the first alternate.
The Greek accompanied the video with the caption: “A visual representation of me trying to enter the Cincinnati main draw.”
The joke reflects the unusual circumstances behind Tsitsipas’ participation. Rather than earning a direct place based on his ranking when the original entry list was established, he needed movement in the field to create an opening. Sinner’s withdrawal ultimately provided that opportunity.
A visual representation of me trying to enter the Cincinnati main draw. pic.twitter.com/Kl6oJHIJNk
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@stefanos) August 9, 2026
Tsitsipas continues ranking recovery after difficult season
The Cincinnati opportunity comes at an important stage of Tsitsipas’ season. The Greek recently endured a significant ranking slide, dropping outside the Top 80 before turning his results around during the European clay swing.
His biggest recent success came at the Gstaad Open, where he won the title to begin rebuilding his ranking. The result was particularly important after a difficult period that had left the former world No. 3 outside the positions normally associated with his career.
The transition to hard courts has produced less consistency. Tsitsipas lost in the opening round of the DC Open to de Minaur, who entered the tournament as the top seed. He then went deeper in Canada, defeating opponents to reach the third round before Fonseca ended his run.
Those results nevertheless helped Tsitsipas climb back to No. 53, putting him in a considerably stronger position than he occupied only weeks earlier. His late entry into Cincinnati now gives him another opportunity to build on that recovery.
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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