Sinner's birthday, the cake, the scorching heat, or a virus - the unusual occurrence that befell him.
In the world of tennis, speculation has been rife about Jannik Sinner's sudden withdrawal from the Cincinnati tournament. The South Tyrolean champion, who had been in fine form, fainted during his match, causing concern among fans and fellow players alike.
The most prominent theory surrounding Sinner's illness is that it was caused by a virus, which also affected other players. It's worth noting that the virus did not seem to be a mechanical problem or physical injury for Sinner. In fact, he recovered mostly within a few days, and there were no reports of other causes like the birthday cake or sparkling wine. Another hypothesis is the heat, as Sinner exhibited signs of distress hours before his match in the sweltering conditions of Cincinnati. The heat was a second opponent all week in the tournament.
Prior to the Cincinnati tournament, Sinner had been in high spirits. He was supposed to fly to New York for the mixed doubles of the US Open, a testament to his determination to play in the Grand Slam event. His main goal was to compete in the US Open, and he had been feeling unwell only the day before the match.
The virus or heat stress has caused Sinner to lose 2000 points from last year's victory in the US Open, a significant blow to his ranking. If Carlos Alcaraz wins in the US Open and Sinner is in the final, Alcaraz will overtake Sinner as number 1. However, if Sinner doesn't reach the final, Carlos Alcaraz could become number 1 without even playing in the tournament.
Despite the setback, Sinner expressed his disappointment about his performance and congratulated Carlos Alcaraz on a great tournament. His withdrawal from the mixed doubles competition was a possibility after his withdrawal from the Cincinnati match. Sinner plans to take a few days to recover before returning to play.
As the tennis world waits for Sinner's return, one thing is certain: the Italian talent will continue to be a formidable force on the court. Carlos Alcaraz may have a temporary advantage, but Sinner's determination and resilience are sure to make for an exciting season ahead.
