Jannik Sinner pulls out of Cincinnati Open with knee injury before US Open
Synopsis
Jannik Sinner has skipped both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open with a right knee injury — arriving at the US Open, where he is the defending champion, with virtually no hard-court match practice. With Alcaraz also absent from Cincinnati due to a wrist injury, the draw is wide open, but the bigger question is whether Sinner can be truly match-sharp in under three weeks.
Key Takeaways
Jannik Sinner withdrew from the Cincinnati Open on 10 August due to a right knee injury .
It is his second consecutive Masters-level withdrawal, having also pulled out of the Canadian Open .
Sinner won his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last month and is the defending US Open champion.
Carlos Alcaraz is also absent from Cincinnati with a wrist injury, weakening the tournament field further.
The US Open main draw begins on 30 August , giving Sinner just over two weeks to recover.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury, tournament organisers confirmed on Sunday, 10 August, dealing a fresh blow to the Italian star's preparations for the US Open later this month. The 24-year-old had already pulled out of the Canadian Open, leaving him with minimal hard-court match practice ahead of his title defence in New York.
Key Developments
Sinner, who claimed his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last month, had been hoping that the North American hard-court swing would sharpen his game before the season's final major. Instead, a persistent knee complaint has forced him to the sidelines for a second consecutive Masters-level event.
In an official statement, Sinner said: 'After consulting with my doctors and my team, I have to announce that I need to withdraw from the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. 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.'
What Sinner Said
The Italian acknowledged his disappointment but kept his focus squarely on recovery. 'I'm very disappointed not to be able to play in Cincinnati... I can't wait to be back next year and I'm now focusing on getting ready for the U.S. Open,' he added.
A Depleted Cincinnati Draw
Sinner's absence further thins out an already weakened Cincinnati field. Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning US Open champion, had already been ruled out with a wrist injury, meaning the tournament's top two draws will both be missing. The Cincinnati Open main draw is scheduled to begin on 13 August.
The Road to the US Open
With the US Open main draw set to commence on 30 August, Sinner has a window of just over two weeks to regain full fitness. The compressed timeline raises questions about his competitive sharpness going into a tournament he won last year. Notably, this is the second straight hard-court warm-up event he has missed, meaning he will arrive at Flushing Meadows with limited match rhythm. Medical teams on both sides of his camp are reportedly working to ensure he is ready in time.
Point of View
Not just a fitness footnote. Grass and hard courts demand different movement patterns, and match rhythm at Grand Slam pace cannot be replicated in practice. The deeper concern is whether the knee complaint is being managed or merely suppressed — a distinction that matters enormously over a best-of-five format across two weeks. With Alcaraz also hobbled, the US Open draw looks more open than it has in years, but Sinner's ability to defend his title may hinge on decisions made in the next fortnight rather than on court.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jannik Sinner withdraw from the Cincinnati Open?
Sinner withdrew due to a right knee injury that has been troubling him despite ongoing treatment with his medical team. He confirmed the decision in a statement, saying he was not yet ready to compete.
Is Sinner still expected to play at the US Open 2025?
Yes, Sinner has stated he is focusing on recovering in time for the US Open, which begins on 30 August. He has approximately two weeks to regain full fitness before the tournament's main draw starts.
Which other tournaments did Sinner miss before the US Open?
Sinner also withdrew from the Canadian Open, another key hard-court Masters event ahead of the US Open. This means he will have had no competitive hard-court match practice going into his title defence.
How does Sinner's withdrawal affect the Cincinnati Open?
The Cincinnati Open field is significantly weakened, as both Sinner and reigning US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz — who has a wrist injury — are absent. The main draw begins on 13 August.
What Grand Slam titles has Sinner won?
Sinner has won five Grand Slam titles in total, with his most recent being Wimbledon last month. He is also the defending US Open champion, having won the title at Flushing Meadows previously.
