Andy Roddick points out Alcaraz's "irresponsibility" in the Cincinnati final

Carlos Navarro | 21 Aug 2025 | 23.15

Alcaraz and Sinner, after the final in Cincinnati. Source: Getty

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The final moments of the title match at the ATP Cincinnati 2025 between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were, without a doubt, strange. Seeing the Italian so physically low on energy, struggling, and choosing to retire after just five games into the match left the viewer with a bittersweet taste. It was the most forgettable final of all the ones played this year by the world numbers one and two, and the player from Murcia also perceived it that way. He went to console his friend and rival, sitting next to him on the bench and offering words of affection.

In the eyes of the world, this turned into a gesture that spread across social media, showing the kind heart of Carlos Alcaraz, more concerned with making Jannik Sinner feel better in defeat than celebrating another great title in his list of achievements. The image was noted as an act of chivalry, a demonstration that between the two best players on the planet, there exists a mutual recognition and esteem that transcends any kind of sports rivalry. All positive, until none other than Andy Roddick looked at this moment from a completely different perspective.

"HE SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM HIM"

And he's not saying this because he wants to create any sort of enmity between them, no. The Nebraskan reflected on the American tournament in his podcast Served and referenced this moment with a completely different opinion. Why get close to a rival who is unwell? That's what Andy thought... and he had no problem articulating it more firmly.

"I believe the only mistake Carlos made throughout the entire week was his proximity to Jannik at the conclusion of the final, when we began to suspect that Jannik was not feeling well. Perhaps it was just a one-day thing, but I don't care: he shouldn't have hugged him at the net. I love that these two guys are as chivalrous as can be, that they have that class, but if I were Carlos's coach, I'd tell him to stay away from him, not to be close, not to check if he's okay, to skip taking photos together. Carlos, stay away from him if he's unwell!", stated the American, concerned that Alcaraz could contract Jannik's illness.

"If he had picked up a virus that could incubate in his body for four or five days, the preparation for the US Open would become much more complicated", reasoned Roddick, who also had kind words for the player from El Palmar, affirming that he is in a "sensational" form and highlighting the fact that he has reached the final in the last seven tournaments he has competed in. The US Open 2025 will serve as a new test, perhaps, to see how affectionate Jannik and Carlos are... as long as there's no virus getting in the way, of course.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La "irreponsabilidad" de Alcaraz en la final de Cincinnati, según Andy Roddick