I Will Be Ready For U.S. Open: Sinner

'Super sorry' world No. 1 retires with illness in Cincinnati Open final against Alcaraz

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CINCINNATI - Jannik Sinner insisted on Aug 18 that he would be ready to defend his US Open crown after illness forced him to retire from his Cincinnati Open final clash with Carlos Alcaraz.

World No. 1 Sinner — who had been due to play in the US Open's revamped mixed doubles tournament on Aug 19 (Aug 20, Singapore time) — conceded defeat to Alcaraz on Aug 18 after going 5-0 down in the first set.

"I'm super, super sorry to disappoint you," he told the crowd. "Yesterday I didn't feel great. I thought that I would improve during the night, but it came up worse.

"I tried to come out, tried to make it at least a small match, but I couldn't handle more."

The Italian did not speak to journalists after the loss, issuing a statement saying only that he would definitely play at the US Open in New York, where the singles main draw starts on Aug 24.

"I love Grand Slams a lot, they are the main tournaments for my season and my career," Sinner said.

"The US Open is going to be a tough tournament, but in the same time, I'm looking forward to it if I'm ready, physically and mentally.

"I will be ready to push... now a couple of days of recovery, and then we get again back to work, and hopefully, we'll be ready.