The 2025 Cincinnati Open final failed to live up to expectations, as one player struggled throughout.
Fans were excited to watch the 14th installment of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s rivalry, as the pair set foot on court in Cincinnati.
Unlike their previous 13 encounters, their Cincinnati Open final wasn’t one to remember and was over within half an hour.
Struggling with a sickness bug of some kind, Sinner retired down 0-5 to Alcaraz in the first set, as the Spaniard lifted his eighth Masters 1000 title.
It was another strong day for Alcaraz, who finished up his US Open preparations on a high note, returning to winning ways against Sinner after losing the Wimbledon final against him recently.
Most would find it hard to criticize anything the world number two did on Monday, although American tennis legend Andy Roddick is worried Alcaraz made a big mistake after the final.
Andy Roddick is worried Carlos Alcaraz may catch Jannik Sinner’s sickness bug, ‘get away from him!’
During the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick’, the former world number one commented on the ‘only error’ Alcaraz made in Cincinnati.
“The only error Carlos [Alcaraz] made all week was his proximity to [Jannik] Sinner once we suspected Sinner was not feeling well,” said Roddick.
“Maybe it’s just for the day, I don’t care. There is no hug at the net. These two are the classiest people. I love it.
“But if I’m his coach, I am going to be saying get away! Don’t stand next to him. Don’t go see if he’s okay. Skip the pictures. Do not get close to him.
“Carlos, get away from him if he’s sick!”
Roddick doesn’t want to see an in-form Alcaraz miss the US Open through illness.
“You have the US Open coming up. You have made the finals of your last seven events; every event he has played since Miami, he has made at least the finals of,” he said.
“He’s on an absolute heater.”
- 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters – Carlos Alcaraz beat Lorenzo Musetti in F
- 2025 Barcelona Open – Carlos Alcaraz lost to Holger Rune in F
- 2025 Italian Open – Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in F
- 2025 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in F
- 2025 Queen’s Club Championships – Carlos Alcaraz beat Jiri Lehecka in F
- 2025 Wimbledon – Carlos Alcaraz lost to Jannik Sinner in F
- 2025 Cincinnati Open – Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in F
The 42-year-old proceeded to rate Sinner’s chances of competing at the upcoming US Open.
“We hope Sinner is healthy. If he has a four or five-day bug. You don’t want to say it, but if it’s something, that is going to be a rough one physically to get ready for,” said Roddick.
“There’s no chance he can play the mixed doubles.
“If you are [Katerina] Siniakova, I am going full Alcaraz on you too! Don’t stand next to him.
“At least she has the upside of a million dollars if she plays with him.”
Sinner was scheduled to play mixed doubles in New York alongside WTA doubles star Katerina Siniakova on Tuesday, although he is now expected to withdraw.
Whether he is fit to return for the singles event remains to be seen, but if he is, he will be frustrated to have handed the momentum back over to his rival before the US Open.
Carlos Alcaraz extends head-to-head lead over Jannik Sinner before the US Open
When Sinner beat Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final earlier this summer, he secured his first win over the Spaniard since 2023.
It looked as though the momentum was firmly with the world number one until his unfortunate retirement in Cincinnati.
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2025 Cincinnati Open – F | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 5-0 (RET) |
| 2025 Wimbledon – F | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2025 French Open – F | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2025 Italian Open – F | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2024 China Open – F | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2024 French Open – SF | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2024 Indian Wells – SF | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2023 China Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2023 Miami Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2023 Indian Wells – SF | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2022 US Open – QF | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3 |
| 2022 Croatia Open – F | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-7, 6-1, 6-1 |
| 2022 Wimbledon – 4R | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-1, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 |
| 2021 Paris Masters – 2R | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 7-6, 7-5 |
Now trailing the head-to-head with Alcaraz 5-9, Sinner continues to struggle against his greatest rival.
Should the pair face off in the final of the US Open, it’s not hard to imagine who would be considered the favorite, given their recent record against one another.
Neither player will want to be thinking about the final quite yet, however, as they will now focus on their first round matches, which begin on Sunday, August 24.
