The Cincinnati Open field lost its two biggest names before a ball was even served. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew from the Masters 1000 event Sunday citing a right knee injury, joining world No. 2 and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who pulled out days earlier with a wrist problem that has bothered him since the spring.

"After consulting with my doctors and my team, I have to announce that I need to withdraw from the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati," Sinner said in a statement. "My right knee has been bothering me and even though we have been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept that I'm not ready to compete yet."

I HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT I'M NOT READY TO COMPETE YET

ALCARAZ'S LONGER ROAD BACK

Alcaraz's absence carries its own weight: he is the tournament's defending champion, and his right wrist injury has sidelined him since April, forcing him to skip both the French Open and Wimbledon this year. The 2026 Cincinnati Open runs August 13 to 23 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, serving as the last major hard-court tune-up before the US Open, the year's final Grand Slam, begins later this month in New York.

With both men sidelined so close to Flushing Meadows, questions are mounting over whether either will be fit to play — or fully healthy — when the tournament starts. Neither player has confirmed his US Open status.

The withdrawals also reshuffle the rest of the tournament draw. On the men's side, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev remain in the field, while Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton will look to capitalize on home soil. The women's draw has its own injury absences: last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu also withdrew. Defending women's champion Elena Rybakina and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka headline what remains, alongside Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.

Tournament organizers have not said whether either Sinner or Alcaraz will play an exhibition or lower-tier event to test fitness before the US Open begins.