An emotional Jannik Sinner had to retire from the Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz due to illness, just six days before he is set to defend his US Open title.
The world number one struggled right from the start of the eagerly awaited match, falling behind 5-0 after just 23 minutes on another sweltering day.
At the first changeover, after losing a double break, he was seen sitting with ice on his head and called for the trainer after dropping two more games.
Read also:
- Serena Williams says she would’ve faced 20-year ban if caught in same doping scandal as Jannik Sinner
- Jack Draper storms into US Open Semi-Finals, Set to face world champion Jannik Sinner
- Jannik Sinner secures U.S. Open Quarter-Final spot after thrilling win over Tommy Paul
After a brief discussion, Sinner tearfully apologized to the umpire and officials, expressing his regret for disappointing the fans.
He shared a hug with Alcaraz and walked to the center of the court, raising his hands in apology to the audience before returning to his seat and burying his face in his towel.
Alcaraz, the Spanish world number two, quickly approached Sinner to offer comfort, putting an arm around him and speaking to him before writing “Sorry Jannik” on the camera lens.
Sinner addressed the crowd, saying, “I’m really sorry to let you down. I didn’t feel well yesterday, and I hoped to improve, but it got worse.
“I tried to at least make it a short match, but I couldn’t continue. I apologize to all of you. I know some of you may have had to work or had other commitments today, so I’m truly sorry.”
This victory marks Alcaraz’s first title in Cincinnati and his seventh overall this season, but he admitted it wasn’t the way he wanted to win.
“I can’t say anything you don’t already know. You’ll come back even stronger, as you always do,” Alcaraz told Sinner. “That’s what true champions do, and you are one.”
Sinner, Alcaraz, and women’s finalist Iga Swiatek are all scheduled to compete in the US Open mixed doubles on Tuesday in New York, but it seems unlikely Sinner will partner with Katerina Siniakova as originally planned.
The singles main draw at Flushing Meadows begins on Sunday.
Despite his disappointment in not finishing the match, Sinner can take solace in the fact that it was illness, not an injury, that caused his withdrawal.
He had been on a 26-match winning streak on hard courts leading up to the final and had not lost a set in Cincinnati.
Sinner will maintain his position as world number one despite the loss, but Alcaraz is closing in on the top ranking and remains Sinner’s biggest competitor for the US Open title.
The two can only face each other in the final at the US Open, with Sinner defending more ranking points than Alcaraz, who was eliminated in the second round last year.
This was the fourth time the two have faced off in a final this year, with Alcaraz winning twice on clay and Sinner winning their last encounter at Wimbledon.
However, this match was hardly a contest.
