Carlos Alcaraz Claims Victory at Cincinnati Open as Jannik Sinner Retires Due to Illness
In an eagerly anticipated rematch, tennis fans were excited to see Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz face off again after Sinner’s stunning victory over Alcaraz at the Wimbledon Final. However, the Cincinnati Open Final on August 18, 2025, took an unexpected turn as Sinner retired after just five games, citing an illness. As a result, Alcaraz walked away with the trophy.
During the trophy ceremony, Sinner expressed his regret to the crowd, stating, "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."
Although Sinner did not disclose the specifics of his illness, it was evident that he was not at his best during the match. Alcaraz capitalized on this, quickly establishing a 5-0 lead in the first set. After the fifth game, Sinner called for a trainer, but soon informed the chair umpire of his decision to retire, which was announced to the crowd.
Demonstrating great sportsmanship, Alcaraz rushed over to console Sinner. He even took a moment to sign a camera lens, writing, "Sorry Jannik," highlighting the mutual respect that exists between these two rising stars in the world of tennis.
Looking ahead, the big question is whether Sinner will be fit enough to compete in the upcoming U.S. Open, which begins next week in Queens, New York. As the defending U.S. Open champion and following his recent wins at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, Sinner was a strong contender for another title at Arthur Ashe Stadium this August.
On the other hand, Alcaraz is no stranger to success at the U.S. Open, having won the tournament in 2022. This victory marked his first Grand Slam title and made him the youngest player in ATP history to hold the number one ranking. Additionally, Alcaraz previously triumphed over Sinner in a thrilling five-set tiebreak during the 2025 French Open final.
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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
