World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has announced that he will not take part in this year’s US Open after suffering a lingering injury to his right knee. The Italian star, who has been absent from competition since clinching his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last month, confirmed that his condition still requires further recovery time, meaning he will miss the New York tournament altogether. Sinner’s season had already been disrupted by the knee problem.
After his triumphant defence of the Wimbledon crown, where he defeated Alexander Zverev in a hard‑fought final, he skipped the Canadian Masters 1000 event and later withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters, citing the same right‑knee issue. The intention was to give himself enough time to be fit for the hard‑court swing culminating in Flushing Meadows, but medical advice ultimately forced him to pull the plug on his US Open campaign. In a heartfelt post on social media, the 2024 champion 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.” Sinner’s withdrawal arrives just a day after his chief rival, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, disclosed that he will return from a four‑month wrist injury lay‑off. Alcaraz, who lost to Sinner in the Wimbledon final a year earlier, is now the highest‑ranked player in the men’s draw after Sinner’s exit. The Spaniard will be aiming for his third US Open title, having already captured the championship in 2022 and again in 2023, and will be featured live on Sky Sports from August 30. The news sparked reactions from former players and commentators.
Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft told Sky Sports’ Gigi Salmon, “It’s quite a shock, to be honest. We knew he hadn’t played the last couple of events and he was resting, but the whole idea was to get ready for the US Open.
It’s a big blow to tennis because it feels like a long time ago that we had Alcaraz and Sinner in the events together and it feels like a great loss.” Croft went on to highlight the grueling nature of the modern tour: “It also underlines how relentless and demanding the tour is physically. When you think back to the start of the year, when he won five back‑to‑back Masters 1000 titles – an absolutely exceptional achievement – but by the time he got to Roland‑Garros there wasn’t much left in the tank and it cost him perhaps the French Open title.
Then we saw him rebound at Wimbledon, building momentum match by match, but once again his body let him down. For all of these players it’s such a difficult balance. You try to play the mandatory events, you want to peak at the Grand Slams, and it’s not quite happening at the moment.” Former world No. 40 Ryan Harrison added his perspective, noting, “Sinner feels the risk of playing the US Open is a little bit too much.” Croft also reflected on the rivalry that has emerged between the two young stars: “It’s been 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.
But now it’s an opportunity for the next category down to shine. It’s interesting because it’s a bit of a transitional period at the moment. Who knows what will happen when we get them all back together?” With Sinner out, Spain’s Carlos Taberner has been moved into the men’s singles draw, filling the vacancy left by the Italian. The reshuffle changes the dynamics of the tournament, giving lower‑ranked players a chance to make deeper runs while the top tier adjusts to the absence of one of its brightest lights.
The US Open will continue to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available through NOW and other platforms. Fans can still enjoy a full slate of tennis action, including the ATP and WTA tours, as the sport navigates a season marked by injuries and the ever‑present challenge of balancing a demanding calendar with peak performance at the majors. Sinner’s decision underscores the physical toll that elite tennis exacts on its practitioners. While his disappointment is palpable, his priority remains clear: safeguarding his long‑term health and ensuring he can return to competition at full strength.
The tennis world will be watching closely as he rehabilitates, hoping to see the young champion back on court for the next Grand Slam, ready to reclaim his place among the sport’s elite.