Carlos Alcaraz secured his first Cincinnati Open title in 2025, but the final was cut short when Jannik Sinner withdrew due to illness. The match lasted only 22 minutes, with Alcaraz leading 5-0 in the first set before Sinner retired. The Italian player struggled, committing nine unforced errors and icing his head during a break.
Sinner had a 12-match winning streak going into the final and hadn’t lost a hard court match in his previous 26. The 24-year-old was vying to become the first man since Roger Federer (2014 & 2015) to win consecutive Cincinnati titles. However, physical strain prevented him from completing what would have been his fourth final of the year and his first since Wimbledon.
Sinner apologized to Alcaraz and the crowd for being unable to compete at his best. He explained that he had been unwell since the previous evening, attempting to play through it, but his condition worsened on the court. The illness sapped his energy, forcing him to retire.
Sinner expressed his disappointment, stating he felt unwell the previous day and hoped to improve. He regretted disappointing the fans, especially those who had commitments on Monday. He congratulated Alcaraz on his victory, acknowledging his impressive season and wishing him well for the US Open and the rest of the season.
This outcome extends Alcaraz’s head-to-head lead to 9-5. Their rivalry has produced memorable matches, including Sinner’s Wimbledon victory, Alcaraz’s Rome Masters win, and their five-set Wimbledon final victory for Alcaraz. The Cincinnati final was poised to add another chapter but ended prematurely due to Sinner’s health issues.
The focus now shifts to the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season, starting in New York. The Cincinnati Open has historically been a good indicator of US Open performance. The men’s and women’s winners from Cincinnati in the past two years have both made deep runs at the Flushing Meadows major. With Alcaraz winning this week’s trophy, attention is on how he will fare in New York.
