Jannik Sinner, the top-ranked male tennis player globally, has decided to pull out of the Cincinnati Open due to a knee injury. This withdrawal comes after Sinner, who last competed and won his second consecutive Wimbledon title in the previous month, also opted out of the National Bank Open in Montreal that commenced the previous week. At just 24 years old, Sinner boasts five Grand Slam victories and aims to secure the French Open title to complete his career Grand Slam.

In a statement relayed by tournament officials, the Italian player expressed, “After discussions with my medical team, I regret to announce my withdrawal from the Cincinnati Masters 1000 event. Despite our efforts to address my right knee issue, I acknowledge that I am not yet fit to compete. I am disappointed to miss Cincinnati and look forward to returning next year, focusing now on preparing for the U.S. Open.”

Following Sinner’s decision, Carlos Alcaraz also declared his withdrawal from the Cincinnati hard-court tournament due to a persisting wrist injury. Consequently, fans attending the men’s singles event in Cincinnati will be deprived of watching the top two players in the world compete. Two years ago, Sinner clinched the Cincinnati title, a crucial lead-up event to the U.S. Open, which he subsequently won. However, Alcaraz defeated Sinner in last year’s U.S. Open final, and the 23-year-old Spaniard is gearing up to defend his title as the main draw of the tournament kicks off on August 30.