Sinner withdraws from Cincinnati, Alcaraz is the champion | Jannik: "I wasn't moving, I was only on the court for the fans."
Carlos Alcaraz won the Cincinnati Masters 1000 by retirement, beating Jannik Sinner . This was the fourth meeting of the season between the two, following the finals in Rome, Roland Garros (won by the Spaniard), and Wimbledon, won by the Italian.
Alcaraz: "You're a champion, you'll come back stronger than ever."
After Sinner, these were the words of the new Cincinnati champion Alcaraz: "This isn't how I wanted to win, I'm sorry. I understand how you feel. I can't say anything you don't know. You're a great champion. You'll come back even stronger, as you always have been; that's what great champions like you do. I'm continuing with my team: this is a long tournament, about a week and a half, but I feel great on the court. We work hard, and that's why I have to thank you. To all the people who make this tournament possible. The changes that have been made over the past year are wonderful. We feel more comfortable, we're able to pass the time well between matches. Thank you for the work you do every day, every year. It's been a joy to be part of this tournament."
Sinner: "I was sick last night. I'm sorry, but I tried."
Jannik Sinner accepts the award for the "loser" and comments on his withdrawal: "I usually start by talking about my opponent, but this time I have to start with you. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I haven't felt well since yesterday. I was hoping for an improvement overnight, but things got worse. I was hoping to improve, but it didn't happen. I'm truly sorry. Carlos, congratulations, this isn't the way you wanted to win. I wish you all the best at the US Open. Thanks to my team for pushing me every day; it's not easy to travel everywhere with me. Thank you for understanding the situation. I'm sorry to disappoint, but sometimes it happens and you have to accept it. It was one of the most exciting tournaments I've ever played, and thank you for your support."
Sinner: "I only took to the field for the fans."
After retiring, Carlos Alcaraz approached Jannik Sinner , who revealed that "I only came out for the fans." He made it clear that the physical problem he had highlighted had become apparent right from the start of the match, even before the final began.
Sinner retires: "I can't do it."
" I'm sorry, I can't do it. I feel so bad, I can't move ." These are Sinner 's words to the physiotherapist, who had just entered the field to check on his condition. Immediately afterward, he informed the referee that he was withdrawing.
Sinner in obvious physical difficulty
Sinner was clearly struggling physically as he failed to chase down a short ball from Alcaraz. Vagnozzi and Cahill remained silent in the corner, observing without saying anything.
Alcaraz escapes: 4-0
After Sinner's first point, Alcaraz immediately scores an ace to tie the score (15-15). The Spaniard hits three more service winners, winning the fourth game as well. Alcaraz is dominating so far, with Sinner struggling.
Another Alcaraz break: 3-0
The third game starts badly: Sinner double faults (0-15). Another forehand error for Sinner (0-30). Then a missed volley from Jannik, almost listlessly, for 0-40. The first break point is saved with the serve, the second with the serve and forehand combination (30-40). Then the Spaniard's winning return strikes Sinner: 3-0 for the Spaniard.
Alcaraz holds serve: 2-0
Alcaraz starts well in the first point and forces Sinner into an error, who immediately responds to the Spaniard with an acceleration that causes his opponent to miss (15-15). Sinner loses control of his backhand, which goes a meter long, for 30-15, then thunders past Alcaraz on the return (30-30). Another error of measure on his backhand for Sinner, who touches his ribs (40-30). No consequences, at least for now, for the Italian who accelerates his forehand and brings the score to 40-40. In the end, Alcaraz consolidates the break: 2-0
Break Alcaraz
Two second serves for Sinner and the first two points for Alcaraz, who immediately wins three break points (0-40). The Spaniard immediately breaks. A brutal start for Alcaraz.
Sinner-Alcaraz, the match begins
The Cincinnati final begins, Sinner serving
Players on the field, the warm-up begins
As scheduled, at 9:04 pm Italian time Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz took to the court for the final of the Cincinnati Masters 1000.
Sinner's last training session
Sinner's last training session before the final against Alcaraz took place in the American morning.
Sinner-Alcaraz, fourth final of 2025
Once again, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will face off in the final act of a tournament. With tonight's match, the two have already played four finals since the beginning of 2025. The first was played at the Rome Masters 1000, the second at Roland Garros (both won by the Spaniard), and the last at Wimbledon, with Sinner winning in four sets.
Previous encounters between Sinner and Alcaraz
There are 13 ATP matches between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Here are all the details.
Paris Bercy 2021 (R32): Alcaraz b. Sinner 7-6, 7-5
Wimbledon 2022 (R16): Sinner b. Alcaraz 6-1, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3
Umag 2022 (F): Sinner v. Alcaraz 6-7, 6-1, 6-1
US Open 2022 (QF): Alcaraz b. Sinner 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3
Indian Wells 2023 (SF): Alcaraz b. Sinner 7-6, 6-3
Miami 2023 (SF): Sinner b. Alcaraz 6-7, 6-4, 6-2
Beijing 2023 (SF): Sinner b. Alcaraz 7-6, 6-1
Indian Wells 2024 (SF): Alcaraz b. Sinner 1-6, 6-3, 6-2
Roland Garros 2024 (SF): Alcaraz b. Sinner 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
Beijing 2024 (F): Alcaraz b. Sinner 6-7, 6-4, 7-6
Rome 2025 (F): Alcaraz b. Sinner 7-6, 6-1
Roland Garros 2025 (W): Alcaraz b. Sinner 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6
Wimbledon 2025 (W): Sinner b. Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
Sinner's path to Cincinnati
Jannik Sinner has had a perfect run so far. The world number one is preparing to play the final in Cincinnati without having lost a set so far .
1st round: bye
2nd round: Sinner b. Galan 6-1, 6-1
3rd round: Sinner b. Diallo 6-2, 7-6
Round of 16: Sinner v Mannarino 6-4, 7-6
Quarterfinals: Sinner b. Auger-Aliassime 6-0, 6-2
Semifinal: Sinner b. Atmane 7-6, 6-2
Alcaraz's journey to Cincinnati
Alcaraz faces an Italian for the second time in the tournament. Before Jannik, the Spaniard played Luca Nardi in the round of 16, winning 6-1, 6-4 .
1st round: bye
2nd round: Alcaraz b. Dzumhur 6-1, 2-6, 6-3
3rd round: Alcaraz b. Medjedovic 6-4, 6-4
Round of 16: Alcaraz b. Nardi 6-1, 6-4
Quarterfinals: Alcaraz b. Rublev 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
Semifinal: Alcaraz b. Zverev 6-4, 6-3
Sinner and the puppy adopted in Cincinnati called Jannik
A Cincinnati tournament volunteer adopted an abandoned puppy, unaware that it had been pampered by the world number one. The dog is now named Jannik. FULL STORY
Where to watch the final
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz face off once again. The world Nos. 1 and 2 will be the protagonists of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 final, their fourth consecutive after Rome, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon. The final will be played at 9 p.m. Italian time on P&G Center Court. FULL ARTICLE
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