Jannik Sinner mentioned a bit about the scalding heat at Cincinnati, the burning mid west oven, a week before US Open as he retired 0-5 to Carlos Alcaraz. But the Cinci cauldron had claimed others too. Punishing schedules and unreal high temperatures are taking a heavy toll on top tennis players, given some completed the Toronto / D.C – Cincinnati swing, and will head off to New York for the final Slam.
French Arthur Rinderknech, had earlier collapsed on court during his match due to unbearable heat. Playing against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round, he was forced to retire from the match.
Though not quite directly related to heat, Frances Tiafoe too stuttered in his U.S. hard-court season earlier on Wednesday when the home favourite was forced to retire from his fourth-round match against Holger Rune, seen exhausted and clutching his back due to a lower back injury. Leading 3-0 he lost that lead quickly after he received treatment on his lower back at 4-5. Unable to serve at full pace, Rune progressed up 6-4, 3-1 when the American finally gave up.
Heat also got to Alexander Zverev, who was having an otherwise impressive campaign at Cincinnati Open but lost on Saturday after a 6-4, 6-3 defeat to world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal. Zverev had earlier taken a medical timeout after bouts of dizziness and breathlessness that got aggravated due to high temperatures.
Even in his quarters against Ben Shelton, though he was a set and a break up, he was seen suddenly summoning help and on-court medical attention. “My head is spinning,” he was heard saying. “I can’t get any air into my lungs.” He had looked restless throughout and in visible agony stretching his muscles and winceing after each point which culminated in the timeout in the second set when he was 2-1 up.
Sinner struggles
A 3 pm start to the Sinner final was almost a buffering sight as the Italian struggled in the final against Alcaraz and didn’t look comfortable at all. He was left apologising to the fans, profusely.
“Usually I start with the opponent but today I have to start with you guys,” he said. “I’m super, super sorry to disappoint you. From yesterday I didn’t feel great. I thought I would improve during the night. It came up worse. I tried to come out and make it at least a small match but I couldn’t handle more,” he said.
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Sinner was aware that some fans had set aside other work to watch him and Alcaraz go head to head. “I’m very very sorry for all of you. I know some of you on Monday maybe had to work or do something else, so I’m very very sorry.
“Of course Carlos congrats. Another title. Not the way you wanted to win but it’s amazing what kind of season you’re producing,” he said of the Spaniard who with his superior fitness looks a favourite for New York, which is also reeling under extreme heat. “You and your whole team are doing amazing. Keep it up. I wish you only all the best for the U.S. Open and the rest of the season.”
