World number one Jannik Sinner has announced that he will not take part in this year’s US Open after suffering a persistent right‑knee injury. The Italian champion, who has been sidelined since his triumph at Wimbledon last month, confirmed that his recovery will not be complete in time for the New York tournament.
Sinner’s absence comes after a brief but promising return to the court in Monte Carlo, where he spent a few days testing his knee. In a heartfelt post on social media, the 2024 US Open champion explained that despite intensive work with his coaching team and medical staff, his knee still required more time to heal. "I am extremely sad and disappointed," he wrote, "New York holds a special place in my heart and I was looking forward to feeling the electric atmosphere of the stadium and the support of the fans." The decision follows a string of missed events. After winning his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon – a victory that saw him defeat Alexander Zverev in a hard‑fought final and successfully defend his All England Club crown – Sinner skipped the Canadian Masters 1000 and later withdrew from the Cincinnati tournament because of the same knee problem.
He had hoped to use those events as a stepping stone toward a full preparation for the US Open, but the injury proved more stubborn than anticipated. Sinner’s withdrawal reshapes the men’s draw.
Spain’s Carlos Taberner has been moved into the singles field to fill the vacant spot, while fellow rising star Carlos Alcaraz now becomes the highest‑ranked player remaining in the competition. Alcaraz, who suffered a wrist injury that kept him out for four months, announced his own comeback just a day before Sinner’s news broke.
The Spaniard will be chasing his third US Open title, having previously lifted the trophy in 2022 and again in 2023, and will be featured live on Sky Sports from August 30. Former British No.
1 Annabel Croft reacted to the development on Sky Sports’ Gigi Salmon programme, describing the news as “a shock.” She noted that Sinner’s limited participation in the lead‑up events was intended to preserve his fitness for New York, and his sudden exit is a significant blow to the sport. Croft highlighted the physical toll of the modern tour, recalling how Sinner’s extraordinary run of five consecutive Masters 1000 titles early in the season left him depleted by the time he reached Roland‑Garros, where he fell short of the French Open crown. "He rebounded brilliantly at Wimbledon, but his body has now let him down again," she said.
"Balancing the demands of mandatory tour events with peak performance at the Grand Slams is an increasingly delicate act." Former world No. 40 Ryan Harrison added a pragmatic perspective, suggesting that the risk of aggravating the knee was simply too high for Sinner to gamble on a US Open appearance. The consensus among commentators is that the rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz – often billed as the sport’s newest marquee matchup – will have to be postponed.
Croft remarked, "It’s been a while since we’ve seen them in the same draw. Their contests are like big boxing fights; fans love watching the very best clash. Their absence opens a window for the next tier of players to shine, and it will be interesting to see how the landscape evolves during this transitional period." The US Open will continue without Sinner, with Sky Sports providing live coverage of both the ATP and WTA tours from the end of August. Fans can also stream matches through the NOW platform.
While the tournament proceeds, the tennis community will be watching closely to see how Sinner’s rehabilitation progresses and when the Italian star will return to the big stages of the sport. His withdrawal serves as a reminder of the relentless physical demands placed on elite athletes and underscores the importance of injury management in an era where the calendar is packed with high‑stakes events. In summary, Jannik Sinner’s decision to sit out the US Open reflects a prudent, albeit painful, choice to prioritize long‑term health over immediate competition.
The Italian’s heartfelt message resonated with fans worldwide, and his absence will be felt throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, the spotlight shifts to Carlos Alcaraz, who now carries the mantle of the tour’s top contender, and to the broader field of players ready to seize the opportunity presented by this unexpected turn of events.