Jannik Sinner feeling healthy after virus derailed Cincinnati final, US Open mixed

NEW YORK—Jannik Sinner arrived to the 2025 US Open under an illness cloud after retiring five games into the Cincinnati final against Carlos Alcaraz due to a virus.

That cloud intensified when Sinner subsequently withdrew from the Open's revamped mixed doubles tournament, but the world No. 1 was confident he would be healthy in time for his first-round singles match against Vit Kopriva next week.

“I have recovered mostly, not 100% yet, but we are aiming to be there in couple of days,” Sinner confirmed in his Media Day press conference. “So, should be all fine for the tournament.

“It was a virus also some other players had,” he added later. “Just sleeping and recovering. Nothing crazy.”

Sinner has endured multiple health scares this summer, suffering from an elbow injury during his Wimbledon fourth round against Grigor Dimitrov. Though he continues to play with a compression sleeve, the Italian showed few ill-effects from that injury, going on to win his first title at SW19 over Alcaraz.

Together, Sinner and Alcaraz have won the last seven major tournaments, the former winning the last three hard-court majors to amass a 21-match winning streak on the surface.

“If we don't continue to improve, players will catch us,” Sinner said of the notion that he and Alcaraz were becoming a Big 2 in men’s tennis. “It's just a question of time. So, what I am trying to do is to understand where I can work on. Then we have certain areas of the game certainly where we can work on. From my point of view, that's positive. It only makes me a better tennis player and in the future.”

Sinner and Alcaraz could become the first pair since Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal 2008 to compete in three Grand Slam finals in the same season, having split the last two major tournaments ta Roland Garros. Though Sinner dethroned Alcaraz at Wimbledon, he fell just short of defeating the Spaniard at Roland Garros and trails 9-5 in their overall head-to-head.

To have rivalries, it's great. You know, it's good for the sport, it's good for personal view because, you know, sometimes when you're tired in practice, you know, you try to simulate certain things, because they can happen in the real match. Jannik Sinner on his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz

“To have rivalries, it's great,” said Sinner, who will compete on either Monday or Tuesday. “You know, it's good for the sport, it's good for personal view because, you know, sometimes when you're tired in practice, you know, you try to simulate certain things, because they can happen in the real match.

“At the moment, me and Carlos, we are sharing big trophies, but in the same time, things can change. You know, you never know. There are great, great players out there, and to the way to the final, it's very difficult to get there, you know. So, let's see if this continues. But in the other way, I always say we have to improve, because players, they understand us now how we are. So, let's see in the future.”

Sinner and Alcaraz will not only go head-to-head for the title at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, but also for the No. 1 ranking, which Sinner has held 63 uninterrupted weeks since first claiming the mantle last June.

“We have different styles, you know, game styles, but also how we are on the court and off the court. We are just different, you know,” Sinner said of their rivalry.

“But in the same time, it's great to see, because it makes it very interesting. The only thing we have in common is we practice very hard! We make choices for tennis, you know. It's now our first priority at the moment, which it has to be, because it's very small, small details make the difference. So, it's interesting to see.”

Sinner last played Alcaraz at the US Open in 2022, where Alcaraz won and went on to win the title. The 24-year-old has certainly improved since then, both on the court and in his own estimation.

“When you're young, you just say a dream,” Sinner mused. “You don't even believe it, you know. I used sometimes to say I want to be No. 1 in the world or you want to win a Grand Slam. It's really just a dream. It was way beyond my dream, you know, being in a position where I am.

“Now it's different. Now, you know, I understand my potential. I understand that if I play well that I can win tournaments, and so the point of view is different. But if you ask me when I was young, I was just, if one day I would have been Top 100, I would be the happiest, you know. So, everything now is just a big extra.”

Provided he’s at full health, Sinner will be in position to claim an even bigger extra over the next two weeks.