Alcaraz shows class, praises heartbroken Sinner after pullout in Cincinnati Open final: 'You are a true champion'

Those hoping for another five-setter classic between world No.1 Jannik Sinner and second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz were left disappointed as the Wimbledon 2025 champion was forced to retire midway through the Cincinnati Open final on Monday due to illness. Sinner pulled out of the match while trailing 5-0 in the first set as the 24-year-old’s 26-match winning streak on hardcourts came to an end.

The abrupt end to the match helped Alcaraz clinch his first Cincinnati Open title. The 22-year-old has now won 13 Big Titles — Grand Slam championships, ATP Finals, ATP Masters 1000 tournaments and Olympic singles gold medals — and has claimed eight ATP Masters 1000 trophies, which is more than any active player except Novak Djokovic (40).

Alcaraz shows class after Sinner pullout

Alcaraz, however, apologised to Sinner after the Italian had to withdraw due to feeling unwell. “This is not the way that I want to win trophies, I just have to say sorry, I can understand how you must feel now,” Alcaraz told Sinner.

“As I said many times, you are a true champion and I am sure from these situations, you are going to come back even stronger, as you always do. That’s what true champions do.”

Sinner was hoping to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2015 to win consecutive Cincinnati titles but the hot conditions made it tough for him, as he quit 23 minutes into the final.

“I’m super, super sorry to disappoint you,” Sinner said. “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, so I’m very sorry.”

The recent pullout has also put up a question mark over his title defence at the US Open, which starts on 24 August. it is also unclear whether he will partnerwith  Katerina Siniakova in the new US Open mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows, which starts on Tuesday.