Jannik Sinner pulls out of Cincinnati Open with knee injury to cast doubt over US Open

Jannik Sinner has pulled out of next week’s Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury, casting doubt onto his involvement at the US Open.

The World No 1 missed the Canadian Open in Montreal – ending his hopes of becoming the first player to win all nine Masters 1000 events in the same year – and has not competed since winning his fifth Grand Slam win at Wimbledon earlier this summer.

He joins rival Carlos Alcaraz on the shelf, who himself has been out since before the French Open with a wrist injury sustained in Barcelona.

Alcaraz also pulled out of the Cincinnati Open as a precaution but Sinner seemed confident that the issue would not hinder his participation in New York.

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…I’m now focusing on getting ready for the US Open.”

The 24-year-old Italian, who defeated Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final, will bid for his sixth major singles title at the US Open, which starts on 30 August.

Additional reporting from PA