Reigning Wimbledon champion and five-time Grand Slam winner Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury, tournament organisers announced.
The withdrawal leaves the event without two leading young stars of modern tennis, Sinner and his rival Carlos Alcaraz, who has also pulled out of the competition.
The official Twitter account of the tournament stated: “Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury. Wishing all the best to our 2024 champion, and can’t wait to see you again next year!”
Sinner secured the 2024 title after defeating Frances Tiafoe in the final, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. Organisers confirmed on Tuesday that the seven-time Grand Slam champion would miss the ATP Masters 1000 event, preventing him from defending his previous victory.
The Cincinnati Open is set to take place from August 13 to 23, ahead of the US Open, which will run from August 30 to September 13.
Alcaraz has been sidelined since suffering a wrist injury during the Barcelona Open in April, causing him to miss the French Open and Wimbledon. The 23-year-old Spanish player aims to return at the US Open, where he is the defending champion.
In recent weeks, Alcaraz has increased his recovery efforts, moving from strength and conditioning exercises to full training sessions in Cincinnati.