World number one Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury, the Italian announced on Sunday. The decision comes as a significant blow to the tournament, which is one of the key warm-up events ahead of the US Open.

In a statement posted on the ATP website, Sinner said: “After consulting with my doctors and my team, I have to announce that I need to withdraw from the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. My right knee has been bothering me and even though we have been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept that I’m not ready to compete yet.”

The tournament begins on Thursday, the same day the Montreal Masters concludes, an event Sinner also skipped. The five-time Grand Slam winner had been on a six-tournament winning streak at the 1000 level heading into the North American hard-court swing, but opted to prioritize his health by missing the Canadian event.

Sinner’s withdrawal follows that of world number two Carlos Alcaraz, who is still battling a wrist injury. The absence of both top players raises questions about their readiness for the final Grand Slam of the season.

The Cincinnati Open and Montreal Masters are the principal preparatory tournaments before the US Open, which starts in New York on August 30. With Sinner and Alcaraz out, the field in Cincinnati will be notably weakened, potentially opening the door for other contenders.

Source: www.aljazeera.com