MASON, Ohio — The Cincinnati Open began its main-draw matches on Tuesday without world number one Jannik Sinner and number two Carlos Alcaraz, both of whom withdrew citing injury. Tournament organisers confirmed the withdrawals on Monday, dramatically weakening the ATP Masters 1000 field.

Sinner, the reigning Wimbledon champion, pulled out to protect his fitness ahead of the US Open, which begins later in August in New York. Alcaraz followed with his own injury withdrawal, meaning the two players who have dominated men's tennis will skip the final hard-court tune-up before the season's last Grand Slam.

Their absence removes the sport's biggest draws from the Cincinnati field and elevates players such as Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Novak Djokovic as leading title contenders. The reshuffled draw hands early-round opponents a clearer path into the later stages of the tournament.

The ATP said ranking points and prize money would be unaffected by the changes, though the tournament faces reduced star power at the gate. Organisers stressed that the event's schedule and broadcast plans would proceed as arranged, with matches continuing across the Lindner Family Tennis Center courts.

Both players' teams framed the decision as precautionary, with the US Open as the priority. Their withdrawals highlight the physical toll of a congested summer calendar that has repeatedly forced leading players to manage their workloads.