Sinner withdraws from Cincinnati with right knee injury, US Open fitness in doubt
On August 9, 2026, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters because of a right knee injury, raising doubts about his fitness with the US Open weeks away.
Sinner had been preparing for the final Grand Slam after an extraordinary season that included successfully defending his Wimbledon title by defeating Alexander Zverev in the final to claim his fifth Grand Slam crown. His standing as a dominant force on the ATP Tour has made his physical condition ahead of New York a focal point for observers and competitors.
In a statement posted on the ATP website, 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."
Concerns over the injury increased after Sinner spent nearly four hours at a specialist clinic in Milan for medical examinations. That visit fuelled speculation about the seriousness of the issue. The 24-year-old subsequently opted not to compete in Cincinnati.
Carlos Alcaraz has also withdrawn from the Cincinnati Masters while he continues to recover from a persistent right wrist injury. The Spaniard has not played competitively since April, when he sustained the wrist problem during the Barcelona Open, and the issue forced him to miss the Italian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.
Alcaraz had been targeting a return in Cincinnati but his withdrawal has cast doubt over his ability to defend the US Open title. He remains on the tournament’s entry list and therefore has not been officially ruled out of New York; Alcaraz won the US Open last year after beating Sinner in the final.
With Sinner losing valuable match practice because of his knee issue and Alcaraz without competitive action since April, both players’ participation in the US Open remains uncertain.
