World number one Jannik Sinner has announced that he will not take part in this year’s US Open after suffering a lingering problem with his right knee. The Italian star has been sidelined 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 tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati. He withdrew from the Cincinnati event specifically because of the same knee complaint, hoping to give his body enough time to recover before the hard‑court season in New York. Unfortunately, after a brief return to the court in Monte Carlo, his medical team concluded that the injury still required more rehabilitation, and the decision was made to skip the US Open altogether. 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 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 defeated Sinner in the US Open final a year earlier, is now the highest‑ranked player left in the draw and will be aiming for his third title at Flushing Meadows.
The tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, and fans can also stream matches via various online platforms. The vacancy left by Sinner has allowed Spain’s Carlos Taberner to move directly into the men’s singles field. Meanwhile, commentators such as former British No. 1 Annabel Croft expressed shock at the news.
Speaking to Sky Sports’ Gigi Salmon, Croft said, “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 physical toll the tour takes on elite players. She recalled Alcaraz’s extraordinary run at the start of the year, when he captured five consecutive Masters 1000 titles—a feat she described as “absolutely exceptional and phenomenal.” However, she noted that the young Spaniard seemed to run out of steam at Roland‑Garros, missing out on a potential French Open victory, before bouncing back at Wimbledon.
“Once again his body has let him down,” Croft added, emphasizing the delicate balance athletes must strike between competing in mandatory tour events and peaking for Grand Slam tournaments. Former world No. 40 Ryan Harrison echoed the sentiment, suggesting that the risk of aggravating his condition was simply too high for Sinner to justify playing in New York. “Sinner feels the risk of playing the US Open is a little bit too much,” Harrison said.
The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has become one of the sport’s marquee storylines, with fans eagerly anticipating match‑ups that feel akin to a major boxing bout. 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.” She added that the current situation offers an opportunity for the next tier of players to step into the spotlight during this transitional phase. Looking ahead, the tennis world will watch how Alcaraz navigates the remainder of the US Open without his chief competitor on the other side of the net.
While Sinner focuses on rehabilitation and a careful return to competition, the tournament promises fresh narratives and the chance for emerging talents to make their mark on the biggest stage of the hard‑court season. For those unable to attend in person, the US Open will be streamed live on various platforms, including Sky Sports and NOW TV, ensuring that tennis enthusiasts worldwide can follow every set, rally, and upset as the drama unfolds in New York City.