Carlos Alcaraz has claimed his first Cincinnati Open crown in the most regrettable of circumstances.
The Spaniard was leading 5-0 in the first set of the Cincinnati Open final, when Jannik Sinner was forced to retire through illness.
This was a sad end to an excellent week for both players, who were meeting in their fourth ATP Tour final of 2025.
However, these things happen, and will continue to happen at the pinnacle of the sport.
After the match, Alcaraz, who wrote ‘sorry Jannik’ on a television camera after the match, noted when he realised Sinner was struggling on court.
Carlos Alcaraz realised something was wrong with Jannik Sinner after the third game
No player wants to win a final in such circumstances, especially a player with a competitive spirit akin to Alcaraz’s.
The Spaniard was understandably empathetic towards his opponent, while also revealing when he noticed something was wrong with Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz, speaking on the Tennis Channel, was asked whether he knew of Sinner’s unwell status before the match.
The 22-year-old replied: “To be honest, I feel sorry for him, absolutely. I can understand how he can feel right now. It’s not easy to stop the match in a final.
“So I didn’t know at the beginning of the match to be honest but after the third game… I know him pretty well, I’ve been battling against him for the last two years. I know his style, his game, how he can play.
“So after the third game he was missing more than often. He was more aggressive than he used to be so I know that something’s happened so I just try to be focused on myself, just to try to stay there.
“I just started the match really, really well that’s obvious as well. That’s my focus and my goal at the beginning, and I’m just really happy that I was able to do it.
“But obviously disappointed at the end just to play five games against him, and I just wish him all the best just to be ready as soon as possible for the US Open.”
Carlos Alcaraz halts Wimbledon ATP and WTA repeat
Alcaraz’s victory over Sinner, which resulted in his capture of an eighth Masters 1000 title, prevented a rehash of the results at Wimbledon.
Later on Monday evening, Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek won her first Cincinnati Open Ladies Singles title, defeating Jasmine Paolini in the final.
Therefore, by defeating Sinner, Alcaraz prevented another clean sweep by the Italian and the Pole.
Alcaraz and Swiatek’s attention will now shift to the US Open Mixed Doubles tournament, which is due to start on Tuesday.
Alcaraz is paired with British Number One Emma Raducanu, while Swiatek will play alongside Casper Ruud.
