CINCINNATI — Jannik Sinner’s preparations for the upcoming US Open suffered a heavy blow on Sunday after the Italian star announced his withdrawal from the 2026 Cincinnati Open due to a persistent right knee issue.
The decision extends Sinner’s time away from competitive tennis, having not played a match since Wimbledon last month. The Cincinnati Open marks his second consecutive Masters 1000 withdrawal, following his decision to skip the tournament in Toronto earlier this month.
In a statement released through tournament organizers, the former Cincinnati champion confirmed that medical advice dictated his choice to step aside.
"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. "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."
"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 US Open," he added.
A Major Blow to Cincinnati’s Star Lineup
Sinner's withdrawal leaves the ATP Masters 1000 event without two of the sport’s premier young talents. Spanish standout Carlos Alcaraz had previously ruled himself out of the Cincinnati draw while recovering from a right wrist injury that has kept him sidelined since before the French Open.
With both players racing against time, concerns are mounting over their physical readiness for the US Open, scheduled to begin on August 30 in New York. Sinner, who captured the Cincinnati Open title in 2024, will now pivot entirely toward rehabilitation in hopes of securing full clearance for Flushing Meadows.
