At the highly anticipated Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz on August 18, 2025, top seed Jannik Sinner was forced to retire just 23 minutes into the match due to illness. He later delivered a heartfelt message to fans that has since become the defining moment of the event.
Rather than the outcome of the match, it was his sincerity and concern for the spectators that struck a chord with the tennis world. Alcaraz also supported Sinner by showering him with praise, elevating the rivalry and both players’ integrity for the fans to applaud.
Sinner’s apology to the crowd
In a rare display of heartfelt sportsmanship, Sinner began his brief speech by addressing the fans rather than his opponent.
Usually I start with the oponnent, but today I have to start with you guys….I’m super, super sorry to disappoint you
He revealed he had felt unwell since the previous day and had hoped he would recover, only to find his condition worsened overnight. He added poignantly:
I tried to come out and make it at least a small match but I couldn’t handle more
He emphasized how much the fans’ support meant to him. His words were laden with sincerity:
I’m very, very sorry for all of you. I know some of you on Monday maybe had to work or do something else, so I’m very, very sorry
Alcaraz promoted sportsmanship
Carlos Alcaraz’s reaction to the abrupt ending of the final added an extra layer of empathy to the moment. Despite claiming the Cincinnati Open title, his celebration was muted as he approached Sinner and, in a touching tribute, wrote “Sorry Jannik” on a courtside camera.
During the trophy ceremony, Alcaraz acknowledged that this was not the kind of win he desired, praising Sinner’s resilience:
You ara a true champion…from these situations, you are going to come back even stronger, as you always do
The gesture underscored the depth of mutual respect between the two finalists and underlined the emotional impact of the match beyond the scoreboard.
Read the full article here
