Jannik Sinner, the current top-ranked men’s tennis player globally, has pulled out of the Cincinnati Open due to a knee injury. After clinching his second consecutive Wimbledon title last month, Sinner has not participated in any matches and also withdrew from the recent National Bank Open in Montreal. The 24-year-old Italian, holding five Grand Slam victories, only lacks a French Open win to achieve a career Grand Slam.
In a statement relayed by tournament officials, Sinner expressed his disappointment at having to withdraw from the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati due to ongoing discomfort in his right knee. Despite intensive efforts with his medical team, Sinner acknowledged his current inability to compete and is now focusing on preparing for the upcoming U.S. Open. Notably, Carlos Alcaraz also opted out of the Cincinnati event earlier in the week due to a persisting wrist injury.
With the absence of both top players, Cincinnati fans will miss witnessing the world’s top two players in the men’s singles competition scheduled to commence on Saturday. Sinner, who claimed the Cincinnati title two years ago as a prelude to his subsequent U.S. Open victory, will have to wait until next year to make his return to the event. Alcaraz, who defeated Sinner in last year’s U.S. Open final, is gearing up to defend his title as the main draw of the tournament kicks off on August 30.