Looks like Cincinnati Open’s breakout star will not illuminate the US Open stage. French star Terence Atmane has made a surprising announcement after a stunning performance in Cincinnati. However, the reason given for his withdrawal once again raises questions on the tough schedule players have to follow before the Grand Slam.
After being stuck in the periphery for a few years, Terence Atmane finally had a breakout of sorts in Cincinnati. The Frenchman outlasted the competition and reached the semi-finals. Though he fell to Jannik Sinner, this tremendous journey suddenly turned Atmane into a player to watch out for in the US Open. But then, sometimes success can be a double-edged sword.
🚨 OFFICIEL ! Terence Atmane se RETIRE du tableau des qualifications pour l’US Open 2025. ❌🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/N33RJDAAwg
— Univers Tennis 🎾 (@UniversTennis) August 18, 2025
Atmane was left exhausted after such a grueling run. Though the 23-year-old may have felt like he could recover, the prospect of taking part in qualifiers proved too daunting for Atmane. As a result, the world no. 69 was forced to prematurely halt his amazing run and announced his withdrawal from the US Open.
While Atmane’s exit has left fans upset (many were looking forward to seeing him after that run), questions have also been raised on the tough scheduling before the Grand Slam. Other than the French Open, the US Open is the only event with two WTA 1000 events right before it.
How to grow your fan base, by Terence Atmane 🙌
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 14, 2025
Brilliant form and finish from the Frenchman at #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/R4chZCQtZo
Certainly, that can take a toll on players aiming to go deep in each one of them. In fact, its effect was also seen on Jannik Sinner, who unexpectedly retired in the final against Carlos Alcaraz. As for Atmane, this could be a tragic development, as he was finally starting to give a glimpse of his untapped potential.
It wouldn’t be controversial to say Terence Atmane wasn’t really in anyone’s hotlist before the Cincinnati Open. In fact, he wasn’t even in the top 100. While the Frenchman was popular for his philosophy and rather deep knowledge of the game, none of it really translated well on the field. However, it all changed in Cincinnati.
Breaking into the Top 💯
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 18, 2025
After reaching the Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 semifinal, Terence Atmane makes his Top 100 debut!#OnTheRise | @atptour | @CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/7dWAYRqE8R
The 23-year-old went on a dream run of sorts. While Sinner halted it for his 200th hard-court win, Atmane nonetheless rose to 69th rank. Yes, that’s quite impressive but it gave fans a glimpse of what Atmane could do when in form. Could Atmane recreate the storm that Kei Nishikori created in 2024? That was a question that began bubbling in Tennis Chatter. But unfortunately, that journey has ended prematurely.
Still, the US Open remains an interesting event. Sinner’s retirement from the Cincinnati final has certainly shown a big chunk in his armor. Suddenly, the field seems wide open. So, who will prevail? Just a week before the answers begin.
Image Credit: Imagn Images
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