Jannik Sinner, the current top-ranked male tennis player worldwide, has pulled out of the Cincinnati Open due to a knee injury. After clinching his consecutive Wimbledon victory last month, Sinner has been inactive and also withdrew from the National Bank Open in Montreal. With five Grand Slam championships under his belt, Sinner is only a French Open win away from achieving the prestigious career Grand Slam.
In a statement released by tournament officials, the 24-year-old Italian expressed his disappointment at having to withdraw from the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati due to ongoing issues with his right knee. Despite intensive efforts with his medical team, Sinner acknowledged his inability to compete at this time and is now focusing on preparing for the upcoming U.S. Open.
Sinner’s decision to withdraw from Cincinnati comes shortly after Carlos Alcaraz announced his own withdrawal from the tournament due to a persistent wrist injury. Consequently, spectators in Cincinnati will miss out on watching the top two male players in action when the men’s singles competition commences.
Notably, Sinner claimed the Cincinnati title two years ago, a crucial event on the tennis calendar leading up to the U.S. Open, where he emerged victorious. However, Alcaraz emerged triumphant over Sinner in last year’s U.S. Open final, and the 23-year-old Spaniard is gearing up to defend his championship title as the main draw of the tournament kicks off on August 30.