World number one Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open because of a right knee injury, removing the Italian from one of the final major warm-up tournaments before the US Open.
Sinner announced the decision in a statement posted on the ATP website, saying he was not yet ready to return to competition despite work with his medical team. The Cincinnati Masters 1000 tournament is due to begin on Thursday.
The withdrawal means Sinner will miss a second consecutive event on the North American hard-court swing after also sitting out the Masters tournament in Montreal. His availability for the US Open, which starts in New York on August 30, will now be a major focus.
Sinner confirms Cincinnati withdrawal
“After consulting with my doctors and my team, I have to announce that I need to withdraw from the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati,” Sinner said.
He added: “My right knee has been bothering me and even though we have been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept that I’m not ready to compete yet.”
The 24-year-old had already made health his priority when he opted out of Montreal. Cincinnati had been expected to offer another important opportunity for players to prepare on hard courts ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season, but Sinner will now remain out of match action.
Sinner has not played since successfully defending his Wimbledon title last month. Before the North American hard-court swing, he had entered the period on a six-tournament winning streak at Masters 1000 level.
As a five-time Grand Slam winner and the current world number one, Sinner’s absence is significant for the Cincinnati field. More immediately, it leaves limited time before the US Open for him to return to competition following his knee issue.
US Open build-up affected for leading players
Sinner is not the only leading player absent from Cincinnati. World number two Carlos Alcaraz has also withdrawn as he continues to deal with a wrist injury.
The Cincinnati Open and Montreal Masters are the two principal warm-up events ahead of the US Open. With both Sinner and Alcaraz absent from Cincinnati, two of the sport’s biggest names will miss a key part of the lead-in to New York.
Alcaraz has not played since withdrawing from the Barcelona Open in mid-April, while Sinner’s most recent appearance came at Wimbledon. The pair met in last year’s US Open final, when Alcaraz won in four sets.
For Sinner, the immediate issue is recovery from the right knee problem and readiness to compete. His statement made clear that the decision to withdraw was taken after consultation with his doctors and team, with the US Open now the next Grand Slam on the calendar.
