
cincinnati open 2025
The Cincinnati Open 2025—also known as the Cincinnati Open, ATP Cincinnati, or Cincinnati Masters—brought high drama, scorching heat, and a final that ended in unexpected fashion. The showdown between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz—labelled here interchangeably as Alcaraz Sinner, Sinner Alcaraz, or Alcaraz vs Sinner—was anticipated to be legendary. Instead, it concluded abruptly, creating headlines like Cincinnati Open results, Cincinnati Open 2025 final, Cincinnati Open scores, and Cincinnati Open 2025 scores.

Tournament Build-Up & Schedule
The Cincinnati Open 2025 took place from August 7 to August 18, 2025, at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio—a short drive from Cincinnati. This year’s edition featured an expanded singles draw growing from 56 to 96 players, making it a more inclusive and competitive tournament. It’s a key stop on the ATP Tour, classified as one of the prestigious Masters 1000 events As the top two seeds—defending champion Jannik Sinner and No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz—the duo received first-round byes and carried the narrative throughout the tournament The final was scheduled for Monday, at the usual prime time—3 p.m. EDT / 9 p.m. CEST
Paths to the Final
Sinner’s Journey
- As the defending champion, Sinner enjoyed a bye into Round 2. He then demolished Daniel Elahi Galán in just 59 minutes, advancing easily
- In the third round, he edged out Gabriel Diallo in straight sets to keep his title defense on track
Alcaraz’s Run
- Alcaraz dispatched Alexander Zverev in the semifinals with a straight-sets win to book his place in the final against Sinner

The Final: Sinner vs Alcaraz Cincinnati—An Abrupt End
The highly anticipated final between Sinner and Alcaraz began under intense heat. Yet, what unfolded was shocking. Sinner appeared visibly unwell, showing early signs of dizziness and fatigue. Alcaraz seized control, racing to a 5–0 lead in less than 23 minutes.
Sinner, citing illness and lack of energy, retired midway through the first set. His statement included heartfelt apologies: “I don’t have energy… I’m really sorry to disappoint you,” he said, referencing both the crowd and the grueling conditions. He’d felt unwell since the previous night, and the oppressive heat only intensified his condition.
This gave Carlos Alcaraz the Cincinnati Open title by way of retirement, an uncommon outcome last seen in 2011
Victory and Aftermath
Alcaraz’s win marked his eighth ATP Masters 1000 title and his 22nd ATP Tour title, making him the youngest man to win Cincinnati since Andy Murray in 2011 . During the trophy presentation, he left a touching message on the courtside camera: “Sorry Jannik”, accompanied by a sad emoji—an empathetic gesture amid the unfortunate circumstances.

Broader Context: Cincinnati Open Results & Significance
- The 2025 Cincinnati Open results reflect a tournament filled with storylines—the intense rivalry of Alcaraz vs Sinner, unpredictable retirements, and an expanded draw. .
- In the men’s doubles, Nikola Mektić and Rajeev Ram claimed the title, while Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe prevailed in women’s doubles .
What Happened to Sinner Today?
- What happened to Sinner today? He was struck by illness and exhaustion in the final, ultimately leading to his retirement while trailing 5–0 .
- Why did Sinner retire today? The combination of heat, lingering unwellness from the previous night, and a sudden drop in energy made continuation impossible.
Cincinnati Open 2025 Scores & Final Recap
Here’s an at-a-glance recap:
- Final score: Alcaraz won due to Sinner’s retirement at 5–0 ret. .
- The Cincinnati Open 2025 scores were notably brief in the final, but the rest of the tournament featured competitive matches and key matchups (e.g., Sinner’s wins and Alcaraz’s semifinal victory over Zverev).
Why It Matters: ATP Rankings & U.S. Open Implications
- The final pushed Alcaraz‘s momentum further—and given Sinner’s condition, concerns arose about his fitness heading into the U.S. Open, where he was expected to defend his title and also participate in the mixed doubles event .
- With this Masters 1000 title, Alcaraz solidified his place atop the ATP rankings. While we don’t have live ATP ranking standings here, the victory will likely impact the year-end points race
Where to Watch & Cincinnati Open Live
- Tennis fans worldwide watched the Cincinnati Open final, often streamed through channels like Tennis Channel or official ATP Live platforms. The Cincinnati Open live schedule and coverage were widely accessible
- For US audiences, the Tennis Channel most likely provided comprehensive coverage and analysis.
Final Thought
The Cincinnati Open 2025 will be remembered for the dramatic and sudden Sinner retirement in the Cincinnati Open final, handing Alcaraz the victory. It was a poignant reminder of how physical limits can alter sporting stories—even between two of tennis’s brightest stars: Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
