Jannik Sinner, the defending US Open champion, has faced accusations of deploying gamesmanship tactics to halt Felix Auger-Aliassime’s rhythm during their semi-final clash. The 24-year-old Italian, who withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters final last month, called for a medical timeout ahead of the third set after claiming the opener 6-1 before surrendering the second 6-3 to his Canadian opponent.
Sinner was spotted receiving treatment from a physiotherapist on his right arm before departing the court momentarily. Following his return, he appeared rejuvenated, securing the third set 6-3 and forcing the encounter into a fourth set.
Nevertheless, certain US Open spectators have criticised Sinner for alleged tactical manoeuvring, claiming his injury break was calculated to disrupt Auger-Aliassime’s flow.
“Yup, tried to slow Felix’s momentum,” one viewer tweeted.
“Clear as day gamesmanship… clearly threatened,” another viewer commented.
“Just completely kills the momentum for Felix,” a third viewer remarked.
“And now Sinner is flying around the court,” a fourth viewer noted, referring to Sinner’s comeback in the third set.
Sinner secured a spot in a fifth straight Grand Slam final since his US Open triumph last year.
He captured the Australian Open in February, advanced to the Roland-Garros final against Carlos Alcaraz, and triumphed at Wimbledon. A triumph over Auger-Aliassime would set up a third consecutive Slam final showdown with Alcaraz, underlining the pair’s dominance on the ATP Tour.
Djokovic stands as the last player to claim a Slam outside of Sinner and Alcaraz (2023 US Open). Alcaraz defeated 24-time Slam winner Djokovic in straight sets before Sinner took to the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 22-year-old is chasing a sixth Grand Slam at his young age. Alcaraz also holds a 9-5 advantage over Sinner in their head-to-head record.
“I think he, in the way — I think physically he has improved a lot, and that’s obviously,” Alcaraz said about Sinner. “I mean, it wasn’t a secret.
“He has spoken about the physical conditions that he has to improve, and I think the last year, the last two years, he has improved a lot physically. You know, his matches are really demanding physically that he’s able to play at his 100% during two, three, four hours, and I think that’s the biggest improvement he has made in the last years.”
A Sinner-Alcaraz title match would also determine who leaves Flushing Meadows as the Men’s Singles World No. 1.
Sinner currently holds the ranking he has maintained since June 2024.
The final will also take place before President Donald Trump, who will attend Sunday’s climax in New York.
Alcaraz has described the President’s forthcoming presence as “great for tennis.”
