Carlos Alcaraz has won the Cincinnati Open 2025 final, but indicated he wanted the game to play out differently. The Spaniard won after Jannik Sinner, his rival, had to retire from the game.
Sinner was down 5-0 and looking a shell of himself, though fans were anticipating a hotly fought contest after Alcaraz won the French Open and Sinner clinched Wimbledon. However, this was not to be, and Sinner soon spoke to the game umpire, communicating he was feeling ill.
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A medical timeout followed, when a doctor and physio tended to Sinner. Despite their best attempts, Sinner could not make it back to court. The Spaniard was quick to show class, signing the camera, saying ‘Sorry Jannik’.
Sinner's last words before retiring from the match
Unable to continue after just 20 minutes, Sinner told the doctor and the physio: “Sorry guys, I tried but I can't.”. This gave Alcaraz his first Cincinnati Open title of his career.
{{/usCountry}}Unable to continue after just 20 minutes, Sinner told the doctor and the physio: “Sorry guys, I tried but I can't.”. This gave Alcaraz his first Cincinnati Open title of his career.
{{/usCountry}}He also apologized to the audience during the trophy ceremony at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
“I’m super, super sorry to disappoint you. From yesterday I didn’t feel great. I thought that I would improve during the night, but it came up worse. I tried to come out, tried to make it at least a small match, but I couldn’t handle more, so I’m very sorry," he said as per ATP Tour.
Sinner also praised Alcaraz for the win.
The Spaniard, meanwhile, said “This is not the way that I want to win trophies, I just have to say sorry, I can understand how you must feel now. As I said many times, you are a true champion and I am sure from these situations, you are going to come back even stronger, as you always do. That’s what true champions do. I’m sorry and come back stronger.”