MASON, OHIO – AUGUST 18: Jannik Sinner of Italy (L) and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain pose for photos with the Rookwood Cups after Sinner retired from the men’s singles final match during Day 12 of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2025 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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In the wake of a disastrous final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz this year, the Cincinnati Open has shifted the date of its finals for 2026.
The finals will return to a Sunday – Aug. 23 – after it was held the past two years on a Monday afternoon.
“[G]reat call by the tournament,” Tweeted ESPN’s Brad Gilbert. “[M]onday final wasn’t good for anyone”.”
The decision to shift the finals date was made because of several factors, ranging from fans to sponsors to broadcast.
“We feel strongly that a Sunday final will deliver the best tournament experience.” said Tournament Director Bob Moran. “We appreciate the ATP and WTA Tours working with us to make this change, which will benefit our attendees, partners, players and global broadcast audience.”
In this year’s final, Sinner retired with an illness, handing the Masters 1000 title to his rival Alcaraz, much to the consternation of fans in Cincinnati.
“I’m super, super sorry to disappoint you,” Sinner told the fans at the trophy presentation. “From yesterday I didn’t feel great. I thought that I would improve during the night but it came up worse. So I tried to come out, trying to make it at least a small match but I couldn’t handle more, so I’m very, very sorry for all of you.”
The Monday final was also tricky this year because the new-look U.S. Open Mixed Doubles championship began the following day – Tuesday, Aug. 19. Alcaraz made it to New York to compete with Emma Raducanu in the event, while Sinner pulled out. The American team of Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison replaced Sinner and Kateřina Siniaková in the draw.
This year’s U.S. Open Mixed event could take place during the main tournament, which runs from Aug 30-Sept 13, or prior to the singles tournament, as happened this year.
Timing for the 2026 Cincinnati Open finals matches and the complete match schedule will be announced at a later date.
The Cincinnati Open was recently named ATP Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year following a $260 million campus transformation done in partnership with the City of Mason, Warren County and the State of Ohio. That project doubled the venue’s acreage, which allowed for the tournament to grow to 96-player singles fields. This marks the first time the tournament has received this global recognition