M 1000 CINCINNATI.
Jannik Sinner apologized to the crowd at the Cincinnati Open after playing just five games in the final against Carlos Alcaraz before being forced to retire.
From the moment Sinner was broken at love in the opening game, it was clear something was wrong with the World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The Italian, who had celebrated his 24th birthday on Friday with a semifinal victory over France’s Terence Atmane, revealed that he began feeling unwell on Sunday.
“I’m really sorry to disappoint you all, but since yesterday I haven’t been feeling very good,” Sinner told the fans. “I thought it might improve overnight, but it actually got worse.”
“I tried to step out there, tried to make it a match, but I couldn’t hold on any longer. I’m really sorry.”
Sinner is scheduled to compete in the US Open mixed doubles alongside Czech star Katerina Siniakova, but his participation now remains in doubt.
He did not confirm whether he will follow through with that plan, though he hinted at his next steps. When asked about his general outlook for the season’s final Grand Slam, Sinner said he would focus on recovery first.
“I love the Grand Slams. This is the most important tournament of my season and my career,” Sinner explained. “So the US Open will be a tough challenge, but at the same time, I’m really looking forward to it. If I’m ready, both physically and mentally, I’ll give everything I have. As I said, now a couple of days to recover, then back to work, and hopefully we’ll be ready.”