Italian Grand Slam winner suggests if he would have retired from the Cincinnati Open final like Jannik Sinner

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It wasn’t to be for Jannik Sinner in Cincinnati, as he failed to defend the title he won in 2024.

Falling ill before the final, Sinner retired down 0-5 to Carlos Alcaraz in Ohio, falling further behind in their head-to-head.

The Italian was visibly upset before being comforted by his biggest rival, Alcaraz, who had just picked up his third Masters 1000 title of the year.

As Sinner now prepares for his first-round match at the US Open, a fellow Italian Grand Slam winner has suggested whether he, too, would have retired from the final in Cincinnati.

Adriano Panatta claims he would not have retired from the final, but doesn’t blame Jannik Sinner for doing so

During the latest episode of Domenica Sportiva, 1976 French Open winner Adriano Panatta gave his verdict on Sinner’s retirement in Cincinnati.

“[Jannik] Sinner is a very simple guy. He had a problem in Cincinnati, one of those we all have at some point in our lives, a gastrointestinal virus,” he said.

“He had a bad night, and the next morning he couldn’t stand up, but that’s normal. He hoped he could make it. Then [Carlos] Alcaraz wasn’t playing badly that day; he was playing very well, and then he stopped at 5-0.”

The 75-year-old then revealed whether he would have retired from the final had he been in Sinner’s position.

“What if it happened to me too?” said Panatta.

“I never left the court.

“But that’s not a criticism of him; that’s how I was: maybe I’d lose 6-1, 6-1, I’d just leave the court. I couldn’t leave the court until I was finished.”

Panatta questioned whether it would have made more sense for Sinner to skip the final, rather than retire midway through.

“Would it have been better if he hadn’t shown up?” he asked.

“Well, everyone expects a final like that; those two are clearly stronger than everyone else.”

That much is certainly true, as fans were eagerly anticipating a 14th installment of the ever-entertaining Alcaraz/Sinner rivalry.

Unfortunately, for the first time in 14 meetings, fans didn’t get their money’s worth, as the match was over within half an hour.

Perhaps fans in New York will be able to watch Sinner v Alcaraz 15, should both players advance to the US Open final.

Can Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz extend their Grand Slam streak at the US Open?

Since the beginning of the 2024 ATP Tour season, no player other than Alcaraz and Sinner has won a major title.

• 2024 Australian Open – Jannik Sinner
• 2024 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz
• 2024 Wimbledon – Carlos Alcaraz
• 2024 US Open – Jannik Sinner
• 2025 Australian Open – Jannik Sinner
• 2025 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz
• 2025 Wimbledon – Jannik Sinner

Many expect one of the two to win the US Open next month, but how likely are they to extend their Grand Slam-winning streak?

On the face of it, you’d say they are, but in reality, the US Open always throws up some surprise results.

In the last six years, there have been six different US Open champions, as no player has defended the title at Flushing Meadows since Roger Federer (2004-2008).

Following Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem’s 2024 retirements, and Daniil Medvedev’s first-round loss, only the previous three champions still have a chance to add to their tally in 2025.

All three players, Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz, and Sinner, will be in with a good chance of picking up the title, as it will certainly be interesting to see who emerges victorious.

Alcaraz and Djokovic have already won their opening matches, with Sinner preparing to take on Vit Kopriva on Tuesday, August 26.