By: Kwame Bediako
Carlos Alcaraz has claimed his first Cincinnati Open title after world No. 1 Jannik Sinner was forced to retire in the final, trailing 0-5 in the opening set due to illness. The much-anticipated showdown between the two rivals ended abruptly as Sinner struggled visibly on court in tough weather conditions.
Sinner revealed after the match that he had been unwell since Sunday. “I’m super sorry to disappoint you. I tried to come out and make it at least a small match but I couldn’t handle more. I’m very, very sorry for all of yo”; said the Italian, who admitted he hoped to improve overnight but the illness worsened.
The match took place under sweltering conditions, with temperatures at 31°C (87°F) and humidity around 57%, a test both players had endured since the early rounds.
However, Sinner appeared clearly affected from the start, struggling to serve and moving gingerly around the court as his energy levels declined rapidly during his five games.
From the outset, Sinner’s play was uncharacteristically sloppy, missing multiple first serves and committing wild errors while attempting to keep points short.
His flushed face and limited leg drive became increasingly apparent, signaling his physical struggle against Alcaraz, who took advantage of the situation to establish a commanding early lead.
With Sinner’s retirement, Alcaraz’s victory marks a significant milestone in his career, underscoring his rising dominance in men’s tennis.
