Jannik Sinner injury update: What happened to the World No 1 in Cincinnati?

Jannik Sinner retired “due to illness” in the Cincinnati Open final, handing Carlos Alcaraz the title after a shaky start. Sinner was left in tears.

Updated on: Aug 19, 2025, 01:36:26 IST

By Shamik Banerjee

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Jannik Sinner retired hurt from the Cincinnati Open 2025 final on Monday paving the way for Carlos Alcaraz to win the title. The high-profile final between the two Wimbledon finalists had a scratchy start as the World No. 1 looked out of touch, losing five games in a row.

Jannik Sinner of Italy serves to Terence Atmane of France during the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open. (Getty Images via AFP)

The umpires at the game announced that Sinner is retiring from the match "due to illness." He looked in tears as he announced the decision to retire to the umpire.

In the trophy ceremony, Jannik Sinner revealed more about his condition, saying that he has not been feeling well since yesterday but came out because he wanted to give the audience a match to watch, albeit a short one.

“I’m super sorry to disappoint you," Sinner said. "Yesterday I didn’t feel great. I hoped I would be better but I came out worse. I couldn’t handle more. I’m really, really sorry.”

The match lasted for 20 minutes and ended with Carlos Alcaraz clinching the title 5-0 in the first set.

Alcaraz Pays Tribute To Sinner

No one seemed more upset with Jannik Sinner's injury than his great rival and friend, Carlos Alcaraz. As the World No 1 sat on the bench in tears after the game ended short, Alcaraz was the first person to walk over to his side and console him. He even paid a touching tribute by writing 'Sorry Jannik' on the camera.

Also read: ‘Sorry Jannik’: Alcaraz’s touching gesture after Sinner’s painful exit from Cincinnati Open final

In his winners' speech at the trophy ceremony, Alcaraz wished Sinner the best and hoped he would recover and come back fit for the US Open.

“It’s not the way I wanted to win,” Alcaraz said. “You’ll come back stronger and do what champions do - and you are a champion. I'm sorry."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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