Alcaraz Champion in Cincinnati: Sinner Retires and Gives Up the Title

Carlos Alcaraz Wins in Cincinnati After Jannik Sinner’s Retirement

Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz has won his first title at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 in the United States this Monday. The victory came after the retirement of his opponent, Italian Jannik Sinner, number one in the world and defending champion. Sinner was forced to retire from the final after only 23 minutes of play, with an unfavorable score of 5-0.

“I’m sorry Jannik,” Alcaraz expressed to the camera after the end of the match.

Carlos Alcaraz

This match marked the reunion between Alcaraz and Sinner since the Wimbledon final, where Sinner won. Previously, both tennis players had faced each other in the Rome and Roland Garros finals, with Alcaraz as the victor. The final began with Sinner conceding his serve, an unusual start that suggested difficulties for the Italian. Alcaraz continued to press and achieved a break in the next game, putting himself 3-0 on the scoreboard. With a score of 4-0, Alcaraz again had break opportunities, converting them with a double fault from Sinner. Sinner requested medical assistance with the score at 5-0, indicating to the doctors that he had no control over his body and could not continue in the match.

Another Title for Alcaraz

This victory in Cincinnati represents Alcaraz’s sixth title of the season, adding to those achieved in Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, Rome, Roland Garros, and Queen’s. On his way to the final, Alcaraz defeated Damir Dzumhur, Hamad Mededovic, Luca Nardi, Andrey Rublev, Alexander Zverev and, finally, Sinner. This was the second time Alcaraz played the Cincinnati final, after losing in 2023 against Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz’s victory also means he will reduce the distance with Sinner in the ATP ranking, just before the start of the US Open, a tournament that the Italian also defends. Sinner’s defeat ends a streak of 26 consecutive victories on hard court, something only Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal had achieved this century.