Sinner retires from Alcaraz final with illness

An emotional Jannik Sinner retired from the Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz with illness, only six days before he begins his US Open title defence.

- 

World number one Sinner was out of sorts from the first point of the highly anticipated showpiece, and trailed 5-0 after 23 minutes on another hot day.

He sat with ice on his head at the first changeover after going a double break down, and called for the trainer after losing another two games.

After a brief chat, Sinner apologised to the umpire and officials, growing tearful as he told them he “felt really bad” for the fans.

The Italian shared a hug with Alcaraz and walked out to the middle of the court, raising his hands in apology to the crowd before returning to his seat and hiding his head in his towel.

Spanish world number two Alcaraz quickly went over to comfort his rival, putting an arm around him and speaking to him before writing on the camera lens: “Sorry Jannik”.