Jannik Sinner is facing some uncertainty over his participation in the Cincinnati Masters after undergoing further checks on a knee problem that has been bothering him since Wimbledon. The world number one has been dealing with inflammation in his right knee following a fall during his opening-round match against Miomir Kecmanovic at the All England Club.
Sinner initially visited the JMedical centre in Turin before undergoing a more detailed four-hour examination at the Physioclinic in Milan. The consultation was carried out by physiotherapist Gianluca Melegati, who was brought back from holiday specifically to assess the Italian’s condition.
The results were reportedly reassuring, with Sinner prescribed a course of physiotherapy rather than being faced with a major injury diagnosis. However, he returned to JMedical in Turin for another examination, showing that his team is continuing to take a cautious approach before he begins his North American hard-court swing.
There are currently three possible scenarios for Sinner’s participation in Cincinnati. The first would see him follow his original plans, finish his preparation in Monte Carlo and travel to the United States on Sunday before competing in the Masters 1000 event, which begins on 13 August.
Another possibility is for the 24-year-old to delay his departure by a few days so he can continue his treatment in Europe before travelling to the United States shortly before the tournament begins. The final option would be to withdraw from Cincinnati altogether as a precaution, giving his knee more time to recover before returning for the US Open.
Missing Cincinnati would not necessarily be a major setback for Sinner. The Italian has already shown that he can perform at the highest level without extensive preparation tournaments, most recently winning Wimbledon for a second consecutive year. With the US Open beginning on 30 August, his main priority is to make sure he arrives in New York in full condition.
Sinner’s situation is also being compared with that of his main rival Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard has already withdrawn from Cincinnati because of a wrist injury and his participation at the US Open remains uncertain. Sinner, however, is currently not considered a major doubt for the New York Grand Slam, provided there is no unexpected deterioration in his knee.
The next few days are therefore expected to determine whether Sinner travels to Cincinnati as planned, delays his journey or decides to skip the tournament completely. For now, there is no major alarm surrounding his US Open plans, with the Italian’s focus firmly on being ready for the year’s final Grand Slam.
