Jannik Sinner will not compete at the Cincinnati Masters this year, announcing his withdrawal just weeks before the US Open. The world No. 1 cited a recurring issue with his right knee, a setback that has raised fresh concerns about his ability to defend his title in New York. Sinner had been expected to return to the court in Cincinnati after skipping the Canadian Open, but his team decided that he is not ready to compete at the highest level.

In a statement released on Monday, Sinner confirmed the news. “After consulting with my doctors and my team, I have to announce that I must withdraw from the Cincinnati Masters 1000,” he said. “My right knee has been giving me trouble, and although we’ve been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept that I’m still not ready to compete.” The 24-year-old Italian added that rest and recovery are now the priority as he targets the final Grand Slam of the season.

A Setback That Stings

Cincinnati has traditionally been one of Sinner’s most successful events. In 2024, he lifted the title after defeating Frances Tiafoe in the final. Last year, he went one step further before falling to Carlos Alcaraz in the championship match, though he retired while trailing 5-0 in the first set due to a viral illness. That runner-up finish will cost him 650 ranking points following this withdrawal, a significant dent in his protected points tally.

Despite the loss, Sinner’s position atop the ATP rankings is not under immediate threat. He currently holds a 5,290-point lead over Alcaraz, the World No. 2. Even with Cincinnati points dropping off, Sinner is likely to remain the top seed at the US Open unless an unexpected surge occurs from his rivals.

History of Physical Struggles

This latest withdrawal is not an isolated incident. Sinner’s physical resilience has been questioned before, most notably at the French Open earlier this year. In that match against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, Sinner raced to a commanding lead, winning the first two sets 6-3, 6-2 and moving ahead 5-1 in the third. What followed was a sudden collapse, as cramps overtook his body and he lost 18 of the final 20 games, ultimately exiting the tournament in a stunning upset.

The pattern continued on the grass-court season. Sinner skipped the traditional warm-up events before Wimbledon, a decision that initially looked risky but ultimately paid off. He arrived at the All England Club fresh and produced a dominant run to defend his title, silencing doubts about his ability to manage his schedule. Now, less than a month later, those doubts have resurfaced. The right knee issue that forced him out of Cincinnati has reignited questions about whether his body can withstand the rigors of a full season.

US Open Preparation in Question

The timing of this withdrawal is particularly concerning. The US Open begins in just under three weeks, and Sinner will now head to New York with minimal hard-court match play. He has not competed since his Wimbledon triumph, giving him a long layoff before the season’s final major. While extended breaks can sometimes help, they also leave players vulnerable to rust and rhythm issues.

Sinner’s team has not indicated whether he will play any other tune-up events before Flushing Meadows. The Cincinnati withdrawal was described by his camp as a precautionary measure, but the fact that he pulled out despite entering the event suggests the problem is more serious than initially believed. Fans will be watching closely for any further updates leading up to the US Open draw.

Other Stars Missing Cincinnati

Sinner is not alone in skipping the Ohio-based Masters 1000 event. Several other high-profile names have already withdrawn, leaving the tournament without many of its biggest draws.

Carlos Alcaraz

The defending champion from 2025, Carlos Alcaraz, will also be absent. Alcaraz has been sidelined since April with a wrist injury and had hoped to make his return in Cincinnati. However, he has not yet fully recovered, and there are serious doubts about whether he will be fit for the US Open. His absence further depletes the men’s field.

Alexander Bublik

Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik has also pulled out of the event. His withdrawal is not surprising, as he has not played in Cincinnati since 2021. The reason is a family commitment: his son’s birthday coincides with the tournament, and Bublik has consistently prioritized spending that time with his family.

Holger Rune

Danish star Holger Rune is another notable absentee. Rune has been out of action since October 2025 due to an Achilles injury. Although he is reportedly in the final stages of his recovery, he has determined that Cincinnati comes too soon. His focus is on returning at full strength further down the line.

Jasmine Paolini

On the WTA side, Italian player Jasmine Paolini is the most prominent withdrawal. Paolini reached the Cincinnati final last year and will be gutted to miss out. She is still recovering from a lingering foot injury and has decided to skip the event in hopes of regaining full fitness by the US Open.

Victoria Mboko

Victoria Mboko will also be absent. The young Canadian has not recovered from the knee injury she sustained at the HSBC Championships. That same injury forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon and her home tournament in Toronto. Her chances of playing at the US Open are looking increasingly bleak.

Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu completes the list of major withdrawals. The British player is still recovering from a stress fracture in her right lower leg, an injury that also kept her out of Wimbledon. She has not competed since June, and no return date has been announced.

What This Means for the US Open

The Cincinnati Masters was seen as a key testing ground for US Open contenders, and the absence of Sinner, Alcaraz, and others has thrown the lead-up into disarray. For Sinner, the immediate priority is getting his right knee healthy. The fact that he reached the Cincinnati final last year and won the title in 2024 shows how much he values this event, making this week’s withdrawal all the more telling.

Rankings-wise, Sinner remains in a commanding position. The 650 points he drops will not affect his No. 1 status, and with a substantial lead over Alcaraz, he can afford to be cautious. What is less certain is his competitive sharpness. Arriving at the US Open without any hard-court matches since early this year could leave him vulnerable in the early rounds.

Sinner’s team has not yet confirmed his schedule leading up to New York. It is possible that he will play in Winston-Salem or another smaller event to gain match practice. However, given the knee issue, the safer approach may be to rest fully until the US Open begins.

For now, the tennis world awaits further medical updates. Sinner’s talent is unquestioned, but his body has repeatedly tested his ambitions. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether he can line up at the US Open and challenge for a second consecutive Grand Slam title on hard courts.

Source: Yardbarker News