Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (right) talks with Italy’s Jannik Sinner after the latter’s retirement from the Cincinnati Open final due to illness on Monday.
Carlos Alcaraz clinched his first Cincinnati Open crown in an unexpected manner on Monday. The 22-year-old Spaniard claimed the Masters 1000 trophy after defending champion Jannik Sinner retired in the opening set due to illness.
World No. 2 Alcaraz needed just over 20 minutes to secure the win. World No. 1 Sinner, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Saturday, was trailing 0-5 when he signaled to the umpire that he could no longer continue.
Sinner Struggles From the Start
Signs of Sinner’s discomfort appeared early. The Italian failed to win a single point on serve in his first game, an unusual sight for the hard-hitting champion. By the third game, he managed only one point and quickly fell behind.
At 0-5, a double fault sealed another break. With an icepack on his head and the doctor by his side, Sinner admitted defeat and shook hands with Alcaraz. His retirement ended his hopes of defending the Cincinnati Open title and halted his impressive 26-match winning streak on hard courts.
“I Tried, But Couldn’t Handle It”
Speaking after the match, Sinner revealed he had started feeling ill on Sunday. Overnight, his condition worsened, leaving him drained and unable to compete.
“I’m super sorry to disappoint you,” Sinner told fans. “I thought I would feel better during the night, but it got worse. I tried to make it at least a small match, but I couldn’t handle any more.”
The Italian was aiming to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2015 to win back-to-back Cincinnati Open titles. Instead, his withdrawal casts doubt over his participation in the US Open 2025 mixed doubles, where he is set to partner Czech player Katerina Siniakova in New York on Tuesday.
Alcaraz Shows Sympathy
While celebrating his third Masters 1000 title of the season, Alcaraz expressed concern for his rival. He praised Sinner’s resilience and predicted a strong comeback.
“I’m pretty sure he will return even stronger,” Alcaraz said. “That’s what true champions do.”
This final marked the fourth clash between the two stars in 2025, all of them coming in finals. Sinner had beaten Alcaraz at Wimbledon in four sets. The Spaniard bounced back with a thrilling five-set victory at Roland Garros, saving three championship points. He also defeated Sinner in straight sets at the Italian Open, Sinner’s comeback tournament after a three-month doping suspension.
Spanish Success in Cincinnati
Alcaraz’s triumph adds him to an elite list of Spanish champions at the Cincinnati Open. He follows in the footsteps of Carlos Moya and Rafael Nadal, becoming only the third Spaniard to lift the trophy.
The victory also gave Alcaraz his 22nd career title and extended his head-to-head lead over Sinner to 9-5. For Alcaraz, this Cincinnati Open win further strengthens his reputation as one of the most dominant players of his generation.
US Open Mixed Doubles Awaits
The focus now shifts to New York. Alcaraz is set to join forces with Britain’s Emma Raducanu in the revamped mixed doubles competition at the US Open 2025. The duo faces a tough opener against top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper.
For Sinner, however, uncertainty remains. His illness raises concerns about whether he will be fit to compete at the US Open. Tennis fans worldwide will be watching closely to see if the Italian returns in time.
