Jannik Sinner Pulls Out of Cincinnati Open With Knee Injury, U.S. Open Preparation in Doubt

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open because of a troublesome right knee, raising fresh questions about his fitness ahead of the U.S. Open later this month.

The 24-year-old Italian, who has not competed since successfully defending his Wimbledon title last month, said he made the decision after consulting his doctors and team. He had also pulled out of the Toronto tournament, which began last Wednesday.

“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,” Sinner said in a statement released by tournament officials.

Sinner said he was disappointed to miss the Masters 1000 event but would now concentrate on recovering and preparing for the U.S. Open. The Cincinnati tournament is traditionally one of the final major hard-court stops before the New York Grand Slam and an important preparation event.

Sinner, a five-time Grand Slam champion, won the Cincinnati title two years ago before going on to capture the U.S. Open crown. He needs only the French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam.

His withdrawal means Cincinnati will be without both of the world’s top two men’s players. Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning U.S. Open champion, withdrew earlier because of a lingering wrist injury.

The two rivals have dominated men’s tennis in recent years, making their simultaneous absence a major setback for the Cincinnati event.

Alcaraz will begin his U.S. Open title defence when the main draw gets underway on August 30. Sinner, meanwhile, will be hoping his knee problem settles in time for his return to Grand Slam action in New York.