World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has announced that he will not be taking part in this year’s US Open after suffering a persistent right‑knee injury.
The Italian star, who has been out of competition since his triumphant Wimbledon victory last month – his fifth Grand Slam title, secured by defeating Alexander Zverev in the final and defending his crown at the All England Club – has been forced to sit out the remainder of the hard‑court season. Sinner’s withdrawal follows a string of missed tournaments. He was absent from the Canadian Open and then pulled out of the Cincinnati Masters after aggravating the same knee problem. The plan had been to use the brief recovery period in Monte Carlo to fine‑tune his fitness ahead of the New York swing, but medical assessments concluded that his knee still required more time to heal fully.
Consequently, the 2024 champion confirmed that he would not be able to compete at Flushing Meadows. In a heartfelt post on social media, Sinner explained the decision: "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.
We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realised that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue. I'm obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart.
I was very much looking forward to coming back and playing in the electric atmosphere in front of the great fans there." His absence creates a notable shift in the tournament landscape. Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who lost to Sinner in the Wimbledon final a year earlier, is now the highest‑ranked player remaining in the draw.
Alcaraz, who is also battling a wrist injury after a four‑month lay‑off, announced his own comeback just a day after Sinner’s news, adding another layer of intrigue to the upcoming event. Alcaraz will be aiming for his third US Open title, having already captured the championship in 2022 and again in 2023, which propelled him to the world No. 1 ranking. He will be featured live on Sky Sports from August 30, and his quest for another major trophy is expected to dominate headlines.
Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft, speaking to Sky Sports’ Gigi Salmon, described Sinner’s withdrawal as a "big shock" and a "significant blow to tennis." She noted that while the Italian had been resting after missing the last two Masters events, the original intention was to use that period to prepare for the US Open. Croft added that the physical demands of the tour are relentless: "When you think at the beginning of the year when he won those five back‑to‑back Masters 1000 titles, which was absolutely exceptional, but then at Roland‑Garros there was not much left in the tank and it cost him perhaps the French Open title. Then we saw him rebound at Wimbledon, but once again his body has let him down." Croft emphasized the delicate balance players must strike between competing in mandatory tour events and peaking for Grand Slams, noting that the current situation illustrates how challenging that equilibrium can be.
Former world No. 40 Ryan Harrison echoed the sentiment, saying that Sinner likely judged the risk of aggravating his knee at the US Open to be too high. The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has become one of the sport’s most compelling storylines, with fans eagerly anticipating their match‑ups. Croft remarked, "It’s a long time since we had them in the same draw.
They have become the new rivalry that everyone wants to see. I really don’t mind watching the same players compete all the time because those are the matches you really look forward to.
It’s like watching a big boxing fight – you want to see the very best go up against each other." With Sinner out, the tournament opens up opportunities for the next tier of players to shine. Spain’s Carlos Taberner, for instance, moved into the men’s singles draw after Sinner’s withdrawal, highlighting how the reshuffle can benefit lower‑ranked competitors.
The US Open will still be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and viewers can stream the matches via NOW or other platforms. The event promises high‑quality tennis despite the absence of the world No.
1, and the sport’s community will be watching closely to see how the remaining stars adapt and who steps forward to fill the void left by Sinner’s unexpected exit.