World number one Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to a lingering right knee issue, tournament officials announced on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The 24-year-old Italian, who recently captured his fifth Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon, expects to be fit for the upcoming US Open.
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The Hard-Court Blueprint and Sinner’s Schedulic Calculus
Having not stepped onto a competitive match court since his statement-making Wimbledon final victory over Alexander Zverev last month, the Italian’s absence in Cincinnati underscores a calculated medical decision.
According to AOL, Sinner also bypassed the National Bank Open in Toronto as his right knee continued to demand conservative management. “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 in an official statement released by the tournament. “My right knee has been bothering me and even though we have been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept I’m not ready to compete yet.”
Sinner claimed the Cincinnati title in 2024 and commands a formidable 12-4 career record at the tournament, as detailed by AOL. His dominant early-season Masters 1000 run saw him capture the first five events he entered, culminating in his Career Golden Masters achievement in Rome.
The Top of the Draw Collapses: Alcaraz Also Absent
Sinner’s withdrawal leaves the Cincinnati main draw without the world’s top two players. Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, the world number two, remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a wrist injury that has kept him off the tour since the Barcelona Open in April. Last year’s Cincinnati final saw Alcaraz leading 5-0 before Sinner was forced to retire due to illness, making the absence of both generational rivals a major storyline for the final major tune-up.
| Player | Rank | Cincinnati Status | Last Active Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jannik Sinner | 1 | Withdrawn (Knee) | Wimbledon (July 2026) |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 2 | Withdrawn (Wrist) | Barcelona Open (April 2026) |
| Alexander Zverev | Active in Field | Wimbledon Finalist | |
| Novak Djokovic | Active in Field | Hard-Court Swing Prep |
Field Level Media notes that veterans like Novak Djokovic—who has triumphed in Cincinnati in 2018, 2020, and 2023—alongside 2021 champion Alexander Zverev, now inherit the mantle of tournament favorites as the main draw action kicks off on August 13 ahead of the August 23 final.
Looking Ahead to Flushing Meadows
The US Open runs from August 30 to September 13 in New York.
“I’m very disappointed not to be able to play in Cincinnati,” Sinner stated.
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