World No. 1 Sinner withdraws from US Open
NEW YORK: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the US Open after failing to recover fully from a right knee injury, dealing a major blow to the tournament just days before the final Grand Slam of the season.
The five-time Grand Slam champion confirmed on Friday that he would not compete at Flushing Meadows despite making every effort to return to competitive tennis.
“Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year,” Sinner said in a statement.
The 24-year-old Italian explained that he had recently returned to court in Monte Carlo with his team but realised that his knee still required additional recovery time.
“I’m very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart,” Sinner said, adding that he had been eagerly anticipating the tournament and the atmosphere created by its fans.
Sinner has not played competitively since lifting the Wimbledon trophy on July 12. His injury had already forced him to withdraw from the US Open preparation events in Cincinnati and Montreal, raising doubts about whether he would be fit enough to defend his position among the tournament favourites.
His absence will be particularly significant given his remarkable 2026 campaign. Sinner has recorded 44 victories against just three defeats this season and has collected six titles, including his Wimbledon triumph.
The Italian was also expected to arrive in New York with strong motivation after winning the US Open in 2024. However, his title defence will now have to wait.
Sinner’s withdrawal also changes the dynamics of a tournament that had been building toward another chapter in his growing rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, Sinner’s biggest contemporary rival, announced on Thursday that he would return to competition at the US Open after spending more than four months on the sidelines with a wrist injury.
The Spaniard lost last year’s US Open final to Sinner, making his return one of the most anticipated storylines of this year’s tournament. With Sinner now absent, Alcaraz will have an opportunity to strengthen his position in the Grand Slam race.
Sinner’s 2026 season has not been without setbacks. At the French Open, he arrived as the overwhelming favourite but suffered a surprise second-round exit while struggling in a severe heatwave.
For now, the Italian will remain in Europe and concentrate on rehabilitation. His target is to return for the Asian swing, with tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai among his planned objectives.
For the US Open, however, one thing is certain: the defending 2024 champion and current world No. 1 will be watching from afar, leaving the Grand Slam field wide open for a new champion.
