World No. 1 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 star, who has been absent from competition since his triumph at Wimbledon last month, confirmed that his recovery timeline does not allow him to travel to Flushing Meadows in time for the tournament. Sinner’s last appearance on the court was the dramatic victory at Wimbledon, where he secured his fifth Grand Slam title by defeating Alexander Zverev in a hard‑fought final.
That win marked a successful defence of his All England Club crown and cemented his status as the leading player on the ATP Tour. However, the physical toll of the grass‑court season proved to be significant, and he has since missed the two Masters 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati. In Cincinnati he withdrew outright after aggravating the same knee problem, opting to focus on a full recovery rather than risk further damage. In a heartfelt statement posted to his social‑media channels, 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." The withdrawal arrives just one day after Sinner’s chief rival, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, disclosed that he would return from a four‑month wrist injury lay‑off to contest the US Open. Alcaraz, who lost to Sinner in the Wimbledon final a year earlier, will now be the highest‑ranked male player in the draw, seeking his third title at Flushing Meadows.
He previously captured his first Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open, which propelled him to world No. 1, and added a second crown in September 2023. Former British No.
1 Annabel Croft, speaking on Sky Sports with presenter Gigi Salmon, described Sinner’s exit as “a big shock.” She noted that while the Italian had been resting after missing the Canadian and Cincinnati events, the original plan was to use that time to prepare for the American swing. "It’s a huge blow to tennis because it feels like a long time ago that we had Alcaraz and Sinner in the same events together, and it feels like a great loss," Croft said. Croft also highlighted the relentless physical demands of the modern tour. She recalled Sinner’s astonishing run earlier in the season, when he captured five consecutive Masters 1000 titles—a feat rarely seen in the sport.
Yet the cumulative strain left him with limited energy at Roland‑Garros, where he fell short of a potential French Open victory. "He rebounded 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 keep trying to play the tour, play the mandatory events but you also want to peak at the Grand Slams and it’s not quite happening at the moment," Croft explained.
Former world No. 40 Ryan Harrison added his perspective, noting that the risk of aggravating the knee was simply too high for Sinner to take at a major event.
"Sinner feels the risk of playing the US Open is a little bit too much," Harrison said. The ripple effect of Sinner’s withdrawal opened a spot in the men’s singles draw, which was filled by Spain’s Carlos Taberner. With Alcaraz now the top seed, the tournament’s narrative shifts toward his quest for a third US Open crown, while younger players will have an opportunity to make deeper runs in the absence of the world’s number one.
Commentators have likened the emerging rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz to a modern‑day boxing headline bout—two elite athletes whose clashes generate excitement comparable to a heavyweight title fight. Croft observed, "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." She added that the current transitional period in men’s tennis could allow the next tier of talent to shine, but also hinted that fans eagerly await the day when Sinner and Alcaraz can meet again on a big stage. "Who knows what will happen when we get them all back together," she mused.
The US Open will still be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available through NOW and other platforms. While Sinner’s absence is a disappointment for many supporters, the tournament promises high‑quality tennis, compelling storylines, and the chance for emerging stars to seize the spotlight in one of the sport’s most prestigious events.