Carlos Alcaraz lifted the Cincinnati Open trophy on Monday after top seed Jannik Sinner retired due to illness, casting doubt over the Italian’s fitness just days before he begins the defence of his US Open crown in New York.
The Spanish second seed ended the world number one’s 26-match unbeaten run on hard courts when Sinner, visibly struggling in the humid conditions, stopped play while trailing 5–0 in the opening set of the final. The match lasted only 23 minutes.
“This is not the way I want to win trophies,” Alcaraz said during the presentation ceremony after sealing his third Masters 1000 title of the season, having already triumphed in Monte Carlo and Rome.
He also said, “I just have to say sorry. I can understand how you must feel now. You are a true champion and I am sure you will come back even stronger. That’s what champions do.”
Sinner, who had hoped to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2015 to win successive Cincinnati titles, apologised to the fans.
“I’m super, super sorry to disappoint you,” he told the crowd. “Yesterday I didn’t feel great. I thought I would improve during the night, but it got worse. I tried to come out and make it at least a small match, but I couldn’t handle more.”
The Italian’s participation in the US Open mixed doubles event, where he was due to partner Katerina Siniakova on Tuesday and Wednesday, is also now in question.
Rivalry on Hold
Monday’s match had been billed as a potential preview of the US Open final, with the two young stars having contested the last two Grand Slam title matches.
At Roland Garros, Alcaraz staged a dramatic comeback from two sets down, saving three championship points to win. Sinner avenged that defeat at Wimbledon, claiming his first title at the All England Club.
The Spaniard’s latest victory extended his head-to-head lead over Sinner to 9–5, including a 6–2 record on hard courts.
Source: Al Jazeera
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