World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, the second Masters 1000 event of the North American hard-court swing, due to a right knee injury. The 24-year-old Italian has not played a competitive match since winning his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in July.
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Two consecutive Masters 1000 events missed
Sinner had already pulled out of the Canadian Open in Montreal, citing the need to prioritize his health. The Cincinnati withdrawal confirms the right knee issue is more serious than a routine rest period. In a statement, the Italian explained that his knee was still bothering him despite his medical team's efforts: "My right knee has been bothering me. Even though my team worked hard with my medical team, I am not ready to compete yet."
A void at the top of the game
Sinner joins Carlos Alcaraz on the list of notable absentees in Cincinnati. The world No. 2 announced his withdrawal earlier in the week due to a wrist issue. The two best players in the world will therefore skip both major warm-up tournaments ahead of the US Open, which begins on August 30. Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev, both eliminated in the second round in Montreal, will see an opportunity to pick up valuable ranking points in Cincinnati.
All eyes on the US Open
The central question remains whether Sinner can be competitive at Flushing Meadows. The Italian, who had won six consecutive Masters 1000 titles before this enforced break, could arrive in New York without a single hard-court match in months. A former Cincinnati Open champion in 2024 and finalist in 2025, Sinner knows exactly what he is missing in terms of preparation. His team has not confirmed whether he will resume practice this week or whether he is considering an appearance at the Winston-Salem Open, the last ATP 250 event before the final Grand Slam of the season.
