Emotional Jannik Sinner retires ill from Cincinnati final against Carlos Alcaraz

World number one Jannik Sinner was forced to retire from the Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz after falling ill, just six days before beginning the defence of his US Open crown.

The Italian, who had been in imperious form throughout the tournament, looked unwell from the outset of Sunday’s final, struggling with movement and energy, he trailed 5-0 after just 23 minutes on a sweltering afternoon.

At the first changeover, Sinner was seen placing ice on his head after going a double break down, before calling for the trainer when Alcaraz won two more games.

After a brief discussion, Sinner tearfully informed the umpire he could not continue, apologising to officials and fans.

He then hugged Alcaraz at the net, raised his arms to the crowd in apology, and returned to his seat with his head buried in his towel. Alcaraz, showing trademark sportsmanship, walked over to comfort his rival and later wrote “Sorry Jannik” on the TV camera.

“I’m super sorry to disappoint you,” Sinner told fans inside the stadium.

“From yesterday I didn’t feel great, I thought I would improve but it came up worse. I tried to make it at least a small match, but I couldn’t handle more. I know some of you maybe had to work or skip something to come here today, so I’m really sorry.”

The retirement handed Alcaraz his first Cincinnati title and seventh trophy of the season, but the Spaniard admitted it was not how he wanted to claim victory.

“I can’t say anything you don’t know already,” Alcaraz said. “You will come back even stronger like you always do. That’s what true champions do – and you are one.”

US Open in Doubt

The setback raises questions over Sinner’s readiness for the US Open, which begins Sunday in New York.

He had been scheduled to partner Katerina Siniakova in the mixed doubles exhibition on Tuesday alongside Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, though his participation now looks highly unlikely.

Despite the disappointment, there is some comfort for Sinner: the issue is illness, not injury.

He had arrived in the final on a 26-match winning streak on hard courts, without dropping a set in Cincinnati, and will remain world number one regardless of the withdrawal.

Alcaraz, ranked world number two, closed the gap at the top with his win and remains Sinner’s chief rival heading into Flushing Meadows.

The pair can only meet in the US Open final, setting up the tantalising prospect of another showdown between the two dominant forces in men’s tennis.

This was their fourth final of the year, with Alcaraz now leading 2-1 in their 2025 meetings after Sinner triumphed at Wimbledon.

But in Cincinnati, the contest was cut short: Alcaraz won 21 of 29 points played, hitting just one unforced error to Sinner’s nine before the retirement.

With the pair having split the last seven Grand Slam titles between them, all eyes will be on whether Sinner can recover in time to defend his US Open crown – or if Alcaraz will seize the chance to reclaim the throne in New York.