World number one Jannik Sinner has announced that he will not be taking part in this year’s US Open after a persistent problem with his right knee forced him to withdraw. The Italian star has been absent from competition since his triumph at Wimbledon last month, where he secured his fifth Grand Slam crown by defeating Alexander Zverev in a hard‑fought final and successfully defending his title at the All England Club. Following his Wimbledon victory, Sinner missed the two Masters 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati. He pulled out of the Cincinnati tournament after aggravating the same knee issue, hoping to give his body enough time to recover before the hard‑court season in New York.
Unfortunately, medical assessments have confirmed that he will not be fit enough to compete at Flushing Meadows. In a heartfelt post on social media, the 2024 champion explained: "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 one day after his chief rival, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, revealed that he will return from a four‑month wrist injury lay‑off to contest the tournament. Alcaraz, who defeated Sinner in the US Open final a year earlier, is now the highest‑ranked player in the field and will be aiming for his third title in New York.
He first captured the championship in 2022, which propelled him to world number one, and then added a second US Open trophy last September. The vacancy left by Sinner has allowed Spain’s Carlos Taberner to move into the men’s singles draw, reshuffling the competition and giving lower‑ranked players a chance to make a deeper run. Commentators have noted that the absence of both Sinner and Alcaraz from the same draw would be a major blow to the sport, as their rivalry has quickly become one of the most compelling storylines on the ATP Tour.
Former British number one Annabel Croft, speaking to Sky Sports’ Gigi Salmon, described the news as "quite a shock". She explained that while everyone understood Sinner had been resting after missing the Canadian and Cincinnati events, the original plan was to have him fully prepared for the US Open.
Croft added that the decision underscores how physically demanding the modern tour has become. She recalled Sinner’s extraordinary run earlier in the year, when he captured five consecutive Masters 1000 titles—a feat that highlighted his dominance but also took a toll on his body. "When he got to Roland‑Garros there was not much left in the tank and it cost him perhaps the French Open title," she said, before noting that his resurgence at Wimbledon was again hampered by lingering physical issues.
Former world number 40 Ryan Harrison echoed the sentiment, suggesting that the risk of playing the US Open with a compromised knee was simply too great for Sinner. "The potential for a serious injury would outweigh any short‑term gain," he argued, emphasizing the importance of long‑term health for a player of Sinner’s age and potential. Croft also reflected on the broader impact of the rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz, describing it as the kind of marquee matchup that fans crave, akin to a major boxing bout.
"It’s a long time since we had them in the same draw," she said. "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." With Sinner out, the tournament now presents an opportunity for the next tier of talent to shine. Players such as Felix Auger‑Aliassime, Novak Djokovic, and a rejuvenated Alcaraz will be under the spotlight, and the dynamics of the draw could produce unexpected storylines.
The US Open will still be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, and fans can stream the action through various platforms, including NOW and other services that do not require a contract. In summary, Jannik Sinner’s decision to sit out the US Open due to a lingering knee injury marks a significant shift in the tournament’s competitive landscape. While his absence is a disappointment for both the player and his supporters, it highlights the relentless physical demands of professional tennis and the careful balance athletes must strike between competing and preserving their health.
The stage is now set for Carlos Alcaraz to pursue a third US Open crown, while emerging contenders will look to seize the moment and make their mark on one of the sport’s biggest stages.