The latest installment of the Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner rivalry did not go as anticipated on Monday.
The two top-ranked players in the world faced off for the 14th time in their careers and fourth time this year in the final of the Cincinnati Open earlier today. Sinner won the last matchup in the final at Wimbledon last month, but Alcaraz earned the shortened victory Monday.
The 22-year-old Spaniard jumped out to a 5-0 lead before Sinner, who committed nine unforced errors and was seen with an ice pack on his head during the break, retired due to illness after only 22 minutes. The 24-year-old and overall No. 1 player on the planet entered the day on a 12-match winning streak.
“I’m super, super sorry to disappoint you,” Sinner told fans during the trophy presentation. “From yesterday I didn’t feel great. I thought that I would improve during the night but it came up worse. So I tried to come out, trying to make it at least a small match but I couldn’t handle more, so I’m very, very sorry for all of you.”
Alcaraz now leads the all-time series between the two, 9-5.
Alcaraz sends well-wishes to his rival
While Alcaraz won’t turn down the win or the trophy, it’s understandable that he was disappointed not being able to beat Sinner at full strength.
A short time ago, the No. 2 player in the world sent a classy message to Sinner on X/Twitter, including a photo of himself consoling the four-time Grand Slam winner after he retired.
“I’m so sorry for Jannik! Nobody likes to win because their opponent retires, especially in a final like this,” Alcaraz wrote. “Wishing you a speedy recovery! Very happy with my week in Cincinnati and feeling ready for the US Open!”
I’m so sorry for Jannik! Nobody likes to win because their opponent retires, especially in a final like this. Wishing you a speedy recovery! ❤️ Very happy with my week in Cincinnati and feeling ready for the US Open! 💪🏻🏆
📸 @CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/wEHPT1PBOH
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) August 18, 2025
All eyes on the U.S. Open
As Alcaraz hinted, the upcoming US Open in Flushing, Queens is going to have the focus of the entire tennis world from August 24 through September 7.
Alcaraz and Sinner have only met once at the event, with the former winning their 2022 quarterfinal matchup on his way to his first US Open title. Sinner, meanwhile, broke through at the US Open for the first time last year,
As long as Sinner is healthy, he will have a good shot at defending his crown, and Alcaraz will surely be among the top competitors looking to take it from him.
