World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who was forced to retire during the final of the Cincinnati Open, and his playing partner Katerina Siniakova have been removed from the US Open mixed doubles draw.
The withdrawal comes a day after illness forced Sinner to concede defeat to his great rival Carlos Alcaraz after going 5-0 down in the first set of the Cincinnati final on Monday.
The 24-year-old did not speak to journalists following the loss, issuing a statement that he would definitely play at the US Open in New York, where the singles main draw starts on Sunday.
“I love Grand Slams; they are the main tournaments for my season and my career,” reigning US Open champion Sinner said. “The US Open is going to be a tough tournament, but at the same time, I’m looking forward to it if I’m ready, physically and mentally.”
The statement did not address his participation in the mixed doubles, which is organised on Tuesday and Wednesday in a new shortened format that brings together the world’s best singles players, raising doubts about whether he would be able to compete.
The pair replacing Sinner and Siniakova will face Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic and Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the first round.
