Carlos Alcaraz claimed the men’s singles title at the Cincinnati Open on Monday after top seed Jannik Sinner was forced to retire due to illness, Afrosport reports.
The final lasted just over 20 minutes, with Alcaraz racing to a 5-0 lead in the opening set before Sinner signalled he could no longer continue.
— Cincinnati Open (@CincyTennis) August 18, 2025
It was the fourth final meeting of the season between the two rivals, but from the outset it was clear that Sinner was struggling. The world No. 1 had an ice pack on his head during the changeover and committed nine unforced errors in the short spell he managed on court.
The 24-year-old signalled to his trainer and had a brief discussion with the umpire and officials. He embraced Alcaraz before apologising to the crowd at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Ohio.
“I’m super sorry to disappoint you,” he told the fans. “From yesterday I didn’t feel great, I thought I would improve but it came up worse.
“I tried to come out, to make it at least a small match, but I couldn’t handle more.
“I am very sorry for all of you. I know that maybe some of you, on a Monday, you had to work or do something else, so I’m really sorry.”
Sinner’s withdrawal brought an end to his 12-match winning streak, denying him the chance to defend his Cincinnati crown — a feat last achieved by Roger Federer in 2014 and 2015.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, consoled his rival at courtside before writing “Sorry Jannik” on the camera lens. He secured his first Cincinnati title and his seventh trophy of the season.
“I can’t say anything you don’t know already. You will come back even stronger like you always do,” the Spaniard told Sinner. “That’s what true champions do and you are one.”
The 22-year-old also became the third Spaniard to win the men’s singles title at Cincinnati following victories for Carlos Moya in 2022 and Rafael Nadal in 2013.
With the US Open singles main draw set to begin at Flushing Meadows on Sunday, Sinner faces a race against time to be fit for his title defence. The Italian is also due to team up with Katerina Siniakova to feature in the revamped US Open mixed doubles but his participation is in doubt.
