Carlos Alcaraz was declared the champion of the 2025 Cincinnati Open after Jannik Sinner retired from the final due to illness. The match lasted only 22 minutes, with Alcaraz leading 5-0 in the first set when Sinner withdrew. The Italian player was visibly struggling, making nine unforced errors and receiving treatment for his head during a break.
Sinner entered the final with a 12-match winning streak and had not lost a hard court match in 26. The 24-year-old was hoping to be the first since Roger Federer (2014 & 2015) to win consecutive Cincinnati titles. However, physical limitations prevented him from completing what would have been his fourth final of the year and his first since Wimbledon.
Sinner apologized to Alcaraz and the crowd, explaining he felt unwell since the previous evening. He tried to play, but his condition worsened, draining his energy and forcing him to retire.
Sinner shared his disappointment and expressed regret for disappointing the fans, congratulating Alcaraz on his victory and wishing him well for the US Open.
Alcaraz now has a 9-5 lead in their head-to-head. Their rivalry has produced exciting matches, including Sinner’s Wimbledon victory, Alcaraz’s Rome Masters win, and Alcaraz’s five-set Wimbledon final victory. The Cincinnati final was meant to be another chapter, but Sinner’s health ended it prematurely.
The focus now turns to the US Open, which starts in New York on Sunday. The Cincinnati Open has often predicted US Open success. With Alcaraz winning this week, attention is on his performance in New York.