In a dramatic and unexpected turn at the Cincinnati Open final on August 18, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz captured his maiden title at the tournament after World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was forced to retire while trailing 5-0 in the opening set. The sweltering Ohio heat played a pivotal role, as Sinner, who had shown discomfort from the outset, called it quits just 23 minutes into the match, leaving fans and tennis pundits alike in disbelief.
This result hands Alcaraz not only his first Cincinnati crown but also his third Masters 1000 title of the season, having previously triumphed in Monte Carlo and Rome. The Spaniard, who entered the final as the ATP’s No. 2, has now extended his remarkable run to six trophies in 2025 and solidified his position as one of the game’s most formidable forces. But what a way to win! The final, billed as another epic showdown in the red-hot Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry, ended abruptly, with the Italian unable to continue after a dominant opening by Alcaraz.
Sinner, who was defending champion both in Cincinnati and at the upcoming US Open, arrived at the final riding a stunning 26-match winning streak on hard courts—a run that included titles at the 2023 Shanghai Masters, the ATP World Tour Finals, and the 2024 Australian Open. Not only had the Italian not dropped a set en route to his eighth Masters 1000 final, but he also looked poised to cement his status as the man to beat on hard surfaces. Yet, the oppressive conditions appeared to sap his energy from the very first game.
As the match got underway, Alcaraz wasted no time putting his stamp on proceedings. He raced to a 2-0 lead, his shots sharp and his movement effortless. Sinner, meanwhile, looked increasingly sluggish, his serve lacking its usual zip. By the time Alcaraz went up 4-0, it was clear the World No. 1 was in trouble. The Spaniard maintained his composure, staying focused despite the unusual circumstances. "A dominant show from Carlos Alcaraz as he has silenced Jannik Sinner's corner by claiming a 4-0 lead in the first set. A dream start for the Spaniard as Sinner looked no match for him so far in the big clash," reported live commentators as the gap widened.
At 5-0, after just 23 minutes, Sinner approached the net and signaled his retirement, prompting a collective gasp from the crowd. The Italian later addressed the fans with a heartfelt apology: "Hello everyone, first, usually I start with the opponent, but today I have to start with you guys. I'm super, super sorry to disappoint you from yesterday. I didn't feel great. I thought that I would improve during the night, but it came up worse, so I tried to come out, trying to make it at least a small match, but I couldn't handle more. I'm very, very sorry for all of you. I know that maybe some of you on Monday, they had to work, they had to do something else, so I'm really, really sorry," Sinner said, visibly disappointed.
Alcaraz, showing sportsmanship and empathy, offered words of encouragement to his rival: "I'm pretty sure that from these situations you're going to come back better, even stronger than you always do -- that's what true champions do," he said, echoing the respect that has defined their rivalry. In a touching gesture, Alcaraz also wrote "Sorry Jannik" on the camera lens, underscoring the mutual admiration between the two stars.
The abrupt ending overshadowed what was set to be the fourth major final between Sinner and Alcaraz this season. Their head-to-head now stands at 9-5 in favor of Alcaraz, with the Spaniard winning five consecutive encounters earlier in the year, including Rome and Roland Garros. However, Sinner had the last laugh at Wimbledon, where he ended Alcaraz’s streak in a four-set thriller to claim his first title at SW19. The back-and-forth nature of their rivalry has provided tennis fans with some of the sport’s most compelling matches in recent memory.
For Alcaraz, the Cincinnati title is a significant milestone. After a runner-up finish to Novak Djokovic in a classic 2023 final, the 21-year-old has finally secured the trophy that eluded him last year. With this victory, Alcaraz improves his 2025 record to an eye-popping 54-6, further extending his lead for most match wins on the ATP Tour this season. The win also marks his seventh consecutive tour-level final, cementing his reputation as a relentless competitor on all surfaces.
Sinner’s withdrawal, meanwhile, has cast a shadow of uncertainty over his immediate future. With the US Open singles event set to begin on August 25, questions now swirl about the Italian’s fitness. Not only is he scheduled to defend his Flushing Meadows crown, but he is also slated to partner Katerina Siniakova in the tournament’s revamped mixed doubles event. As of now, Sinner’s camp has not provided specifics regarding his condition, leaving fans and analysts to speculate on his readiness for the season’s final Grand Slam.
The outcome in Cincinnati also has major implications for the ATP No. 1 ranking race. Sinner currently holds a 2,250-point lead over Alcaraz, but the points from last year’s US Open—where Sinner triumphed and Alcaraz exited early—are set to drop soon. Should Alcaraz perform well in New York and Sinner falter, the Spaniard could leapfrog his rival and claim the top spot by a razor-thin margin of 50 points. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the tour shifts its focus to Flushing Meadows.
Looking back on their respective journeys to the Cincinnati final, both players had to overcome significant challenges. Alcaraz dropped two sets along the way, most notably battling past ninth seed Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals and Alexander Zverev in the semis. Sinner, on the other hand, breezed through the draw without dropping a set, including a straight-sets win over France’s Terence Atmane in the semifinals. The Italian’s form was described as "the form of his life," and his hard-court dominance seemed unassailable until the final’s abrupt conclusion.
As the tennis world digests the Cincinnati Open’s dramatic ending, all eyes now turn to New York. Will Sinner recover in time to defend his US Open title? Can Alcaraz ride his momentum to another Grand Slam triumph and perhaps seize the World No. 1 ranking? One thing’s certain—the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry is far from over, and the next chapter promises even more fireworks.
For now, Carlos Alcaraz stands atop the Cincinnati podium, his respect for Sinner undiminished and his sights firmly set on the challenges ahead. The tennis world waits with bated breath to see what comes next in this compelling saga.
