In the end, Jannik Sinner chose the path of cautionAfter days of evaluations with his team and medical staff, the Italian has withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters 1000, an event that should have represented his only preparatory tournament for the US Open after the decision already made to skip Montreal. The reason for the cancellation is the right knee discomfortor, attributable to an overload and improving thanks to the physiotherapy sessions undertaken in recent days. The problem is not considered worrying, and Sinner has continued to train even at high intensity, but immediately tackling a demanding tournament like Cincinnati would have brought new stresses.
The world number one has always attributed great importance of physical managementDuring Wimbledon, he explained: “I'm investing a lot in my body because it's my capital, my engine. Recovery is fundamental for me.” A philosophy that also ended up affecting his decision to skip the trip to Ohio.
In the last few days Sinner is remained in Italy to continue the therapiesThe situation gradually improved, but the proximity of treatment to the start of Cincinnati pushed Sinner and his staff not to rush things. Two options were on the table. The first was to leave immediately for the United States and participate in the Masters 1000. The second, ultimately chosen, was to complete his recovery and focus all his preparation on the final Slam of the season.
The conditions forecast in Ohio also suggested caution. Cincinnati can be particularly challenging due to the heat and humidity, and last season Sinner had already been forced to retire during the final against Carlos Alcaraz.
Towards the US Open without Wimbledon matches
However, the renunciation also presents aunknown. When he arrives at Flushing Meadows, Sinner will not have played official matches from the Wimbledon final on July 12, a victory against Alexander Zverev. Between his last match on grass in London and his debut at the US Open, about a month and a half will pass. His hard-court drought is even longer. Sinner's last appearance on the surface dates back to the end of March, when he conquered Miami, before the start of the European clay-court season.
From a technical standpoint, his return to hard courts shouldn't pose a particularly complex obstacle, considering how well hard courts suit his style. However, he still needs to regain his match rhythm after a prolonged break. This is a situation he had already experienced in some ways before Wimbledon, when Sinner showed up in London without any preparatory tournaments after the break following Roland Garros, still managing to win the title.
The next target is Flushing Meadows
All programming is then geared towards the US Open, which will begin on August 30. Sinner will be able to use the next few weeks to complete his knee treatment and gradually intensify his training on hard courts, avoiding the competitive stress of Cincinnati.
The move comes after a particularly intense first half of the season. Between early March and mid-May, the South Tyrolean had played five consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments in the United States and Europe, winning them all and racking up 29 victories. After suffering a mental and physical breakdown at Roland Garros against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, he slowed down, underwent extensive checks, and skipped the tournaments between Paris and Wimbledon, before returning directly to the London Grand Slam and winning it.
Now Sinner is once again pursuing energy management. The South Tyrolean's priority is to arrive at Flushing Meadows with a fully recovered knee, even if it means arriving without any competitive hardcourt matches under his belt.
