Super sorry to disappoint you- Jannik Sinner after retiring from Cincinnati Open Final

Story By Konadu Apau On August 19, 2025, 9:42 PM

Tennis world number one Jannik Sinner apologised to fans after retiring from the 2025 Cincinnati Open Final in another highly anticipated game against Carlos Alcaraz.

The latest matchup between the biggest rivals in the men’s circuit lasted just 23 minutes as Italian Sinner retired from the contest, citing illness.

Four-time tennis major winner Sinner placed a bag of ice on his head during the game’s first changeover, and after a chat with the trainer, he communicated his decision to retire to the umpire.

He walked to midcourt, hugged Alcaraz and congratulated him before waving to the crowd, signalling his official retirement from the contest.

“I’m super sorry to disappoint you. From yesterday I didn’t feel great, I thought I would improve but it came up worse.”

Runner-Up Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts after the Men’s Singles Final match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain on day twelve of the Cincinnati Open 2025at Lindner Family Tennis Center (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)

“I tried to come out, to make it at least a small match, but I couldn’t handle more. I am very sorry for all of you. I know that maybe some of you, on a Monday, you had to work or do something else, so I’m really sorry” he said.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Jannik Sinner of Italy during the Men’s Singles Final match on day twelve of the Cincinnati Open 2025 (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)

Sinner’s retirement comes ahead of the start of this year’s US Open which runs from August 18 to September 8.