Jannik Sinner pulls out of Cincinnati Open with knee injury to cast doubt over US Open

Jannik Sinner, the World No 1 tennis player, has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury, raising concerns about his participation in the prestigious US Open. The incident occurred after Sinner had already missed the Canadian Open in Montreal, thus eliminating any chance of becoming the first athlete to win all nine Masters 1000 events in a single year.

Sinner, who recently clinched his fifth Grand Slam victory at Wimbledon, had not played a tournament since. He joins fellow competitor Carlos Alcaraz in the injury list, with Alcaraz being sidelined since prior to the French Open due to a wrist injury sustained in Barcelona. Alcaraz, too, had pulled out of the Cincinnati Open as a precautionary measure.

However, Sinner appeared optimistic, stating that the doctors and his team had assessed his condition, but he was still not ready to compete. The 24-year-old Italian, who defeated Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final, was set to aim for his sixth major singles title at the US Open, which is slated to commence on August 30th.