World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open because of a right knee injury, dealing another setback to his preparations for the US Open.
The 24-year-old Italian announced his decision on Sunday, saying he was not ready to compete despite efforts with his medical team.
Sinner’s withdrawal comes less than a month before the US Open, which begins on August 30, and means he will miss another important hard-court tournament during the North American swing.
Sinner Prioritises Recovery
Sinner has not competed since winning his second consecutive Wimbledon title in July.
He had already withdrawn from the Canadian Open because of the knee problem, making Cincinnati another missed opportunity to regain competitive rhythm ahead of the final Grand Slam tournament of the year.
The decision reflects the Italian’s priority of recovering fully rather than risking further damage by returning to competition too soon.
Sinner has established himself as one of the leading players in men’s tennis and entered the second half of the season with considerable expectations following his Wimbledon triumph.
Cincinnati Loses Another Major Star
Sinner’s absence is a significant blow to the Cincinnati tournament.
He won the Cincinnati title in 2024 and reached the final in 2025, making him one of the leading attractions at the event.
His withdrawal also comes after Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2 and defending US Open champion, pulled out of Cincinnati because of a wrist injury. Alcaraz has not competed since April and has already missed the French Open and Wimbledon.
The absence of the world’s top two players has therefore significantly altered the complexion of the tournament.
US Open Preparations Become the Focus
Sinner’s immediate objective is now recovery ahead of the US Open.
The Grand Slam begins on August 30, giving him several weeks to work on his fitness and determine whether he can return to competitive action before the tournament.
However, missing both Toronto and Cincinnati means Sinner could arrive at the US Open without a competitive match since Wimbledon.
That lack of match practice could become an important factor, particularly if his knee requires a cautious return.
A Challenging Period for Men’s Tennis
Sinner’s withdrawal adds to an increasingly injury-affected period for men’s tennis.
With both Sinner and Alcaraz absent from Cincinnati, attention will turn to other leading contenders seeking valuable ranking points and momentum before the US Open.
For Sinner, however, the priority is clear: regain full fitness before returning to the court.
The Italian’s decision demonstrates the difficult balance elite players face between maintaining competitive momentum and protecting their long-term health.
With the US Open approaching rapidly, tennis fans will now watch Sinner’s recovery closely.
His return could have a major impact on the tournament, particularly given his status as the world’s top-ranked player and reigning Wimbledon champion.
For now, however, Sinner has chosen caution, hoping that time away from competition will allow him to recover sufficiently for another Grand Slam title challenge.
