CINCINNATI, USA: Men’s tennis will be without its top two stars at the Cincinnati Open this week after World No. 1 Jannik Sinner officially withdrew, citing a right knee injury.
The 24-year-old Italian’s decision comes as a significant blow to the ATP Masters 1000 event and raises concerns about his readiness for the US Open, which is set to begin its main draw on August 30.
Sinner, who recently clinched his second consecutive Wimbledon title in July, his fifth Grand Slam overall, has not competed since his triumph at the All England Club. His withdrawal from Cincinnati, following an earlier absence from the Toronto Masters, means he will arrive in New York with no competitive hard-court matches under his belt this North American swing.
“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 stated in a message released by tournament officials. “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 U.S. Open.”
Alcaraz Also Out, Top Two Absent
Sinner’s announcement follows a similar decision by World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, who withdrew earlier in the week on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, due to a lingering right wrist injury. The 23-year-old Spaniard has been sidelined since April’s Barcelona Open and also missed the French Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz is the defending champion at both the Cincinnati Open and the US Open, where he defeated Sinner in a thrilling final last year. The absence of both the world’s top two players means a significantly altered landscape for the Cincinnati tournament, which runs from August 11-23, 2026, at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, with the main draw commencing on August 13.
Ranking Impact and US Open Outlook
Despite the withdrawal, Sinner’s position at the summit of the ATP rankings remains secure. As of August 3, 2026, he holds a commanding lead, with 13,450 points to Alcaraz’s 8,160. While Sinner will lose the 650 points earned from reaching the Cincinnati final in 2025 (where he retired against Alcaraz due to illness), his substantial lead ensures his World No. 1 status is not threatened. Alcaraz’s own absence further solidifies Sinner’s hold on the top spot.
Sinner’s focus now squarely shifts to recovery and being in prime condition for the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season, held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, New York. His previous success at Cincinnati, including a title win in 2024, highlights his capabilities on hard courts. However, the lack of match play will undoubtedly be a factor as he aims for his sixth major title.
ATP Top 3 Rankings (as of August 3, 2026)
| Rank | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jannik Sinner | 13,450 |
| 2 | Carlos Alcaraz | 8,160 |
| 3 | Alexander Zverev | 8,120 |
The tennis world will be watching closely to see if Sinner’s knee injury heals sufficiently for him to mount a strong challenge at Flushing Meadows, especially with defending champion Alcaraz also making a comeback from injury.