World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has pulled ?out of the Cincinnati Open with a right knee injury, tournament organizers said on Sunday, handing the Italian a blow in his preparations for ?this month¡¯s U.S. Open.

The 24-year-old Italian, ?who claimed ?his fifth Grand Slam title ?at Wimbledon last month, had also pulled out of the Canadian Open, a key warm-up ?event for the U.S. Open.

Sinner won the Cincinnati title ?in 2024 and finished runner-up to seven-time?Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz?last year.

¡°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¡¯m very disappointed not to be able to play in Cincinnati ... I can¡¯t wait ?to ?be back next year and I¡¯m ?now focusing on getting ready for the ?U.S. Open.¡±

Sinner¡¯s withdrawal further depletes the field in Cincinnati, with U.S. Open champion Alcaraz also sidelined by a wrist injury.

The Cincinnati ?Open main draw begins on August 13, while the U.S. Open main draw gets under way on Aug.?30.