A virus was the reason behind Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal from the Cincinnati final, his coach Darren Cahill revealed to ESPN. The Australian coach of the world number one expressed confidence that his protégé could return to the court as early as Thursday, August 21st, stating, “We hope he can hit some balls; he is feeling better now and we are confident.”
Despite the two days of rest recommended after Cincinnati, Sinner took the full forty-eight hours away from his racket to recharge for the primary goal of this part of the season: the US Open. Now in New York, Sinner appears to have moved past the illness that forced him to retire shockingly during the Masters 1000 final against rival Carlos Alcaraz.
Images of the 24-year-old from Sesto Pusteria on a tourist stroll through Manhattan with his fitness trainer Giacomo Ferrara and sparring partner Nicolò Inserra quickly circulated on social media. His schedule is now packed in the lead-up to the season’s final Grand Slam.
On Friday, Sinner has a commitment with sponsor MSC Cruises, where he will formally receive the ambassador role from Sophia Loren. After that, his focus will be solely on tennis and the US Open. The first round is spread across three days, with Sinner expected to play his opening match either Monday, August 25th or Tuesday, August 26th.
The main draw ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at 6:00 PM Italian time. Five Italian players are seeded in the top 32: Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, Flavio Cobolli, and Luciano Darderi in the men’s draw, and Jasmine Paolini in the women’s. Lorenzo Sonego is the first player outside the seeded positions. Directly into the main draw are Matteo Arnaldi, Mattia Bellucci, and Giulio Zeppieri for the men, and Lucia Bronzetti and Elisabetta Cocciaretto for the women.
Away from Sinner’s rest, many Italian players are preparing for the New York Slam via the Winston-Salem tournament. The day concluded with victories for Luciano Darderi and Lorenzo Sonego, who both advanced to the round of 16, while Matteo Arnaldi and Mattia Bellucci were defeated. Meanwhile, qualifying matches continue, though play was heavily delayed by rain. In other news, the mixed doubles pair of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori will play their semifinal match tonight against Americans Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison.