Jannik Sinner withdraws from Cincinnati Open

World No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner will miss the Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury.

“After consulting with my doctors and team, I have to announce that I am withdrawing from the Cincinnati Masters 1000,” the 24-year-old said, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Sinner explained that his right knee has been causing him problems for some time and that, despite working intensively with his medical team, he has to accept that he is not yet ready to compete.

He said he plans to return to Cincinnati next year and will now focus on being fit for the US Open, the final Grand Slam tournament of the season, which begins on August 30, CE Report quotes STA.

Sinner last played nearly a month ago, defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final.

Another tennis star, Carlos Alcaraz, recently announced that he would also miss the Cincinnati tournament, which runs from August 13 to 23. The 23-year-old Spaniard has been sidelined for four months with a wrist injury.

If Sinner and Alcaraz also miss the US Open, their absence would significantly increase Zverev’s chances of winning a second Grand Slam title this year, according to the German Press Agency (dpa), after his French Open triumph in June.

Following Sinner’s withdrawal, the 29-year-old 2021 Olympic champion will enter the Cincinnati tournament as the top seed.

Photo Instagram/janniksin