Sinner’s smart pause could be his winning edge in Cincinnati

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner says taking a break after his Wimbledon win was the best decision for his body and mind as he gears up to defend his title at the Cincinnati Open this weekend.

The 23-year-old Italian has not played a match since lifting his second Grand Slam of the year at Wimbledon in July, where he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final. That win followed a heartbreaking five-set loss to the Spaniard in the French Open final just a month earlier.

It’s been a challenging year for Sinner, who also served a brief ban earlier in the season for an accidental doping violation. But he has bounced back in style, winning four titles, including two Slams.

Sinner returned to practice this week in Ohio, where he was seen wearing a sleeve on his right elbow while hitting with American Christopher Eubanks. He quickly cleared any injury concerns.

“The elbow is fine,” Sinner said. “I just like how the sleeve feels. It gives more stability, especially in hot and humid conditions.”

Sinner explained that his team decided to give him an extended break after Wimbledon to recover properly. “I needed time with family and friends,” he said. “In the past, I rushed back too soon. This time, we made the right call.”

The Cincinnati Masters is a warm-up event for the US Open, and Sinner fans are looking forward to his winning his third major of the year.