Jannik Sinner, who currently holds the top spot in the ATP rankings, has announced that he will not be taking part in this year’s China Open. The Italian star explained that his knee is still not at the level required for competitive play, and he needs more time to heal fully after the injury that also forced him to skip the US Open earlier in the season. Since his remarkable victory at Wimbledon in July, where he secured his second consecutive title, Sinner has not stepped onto a court for an official match. The injury, sustained during the hard‑court swing, has kept him away from several key tournaments.
He missed the Canadian Open in Toronto, withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters, and ultimately pulled out of the US Open, all of which are considered essential preparation events for the autumn swing of the ATP calendar. In a brief statement posted on his social media platforms, Sinner expressed his disappointment: "I’m very sorry to announce that I won’t be able to play in Beijing this year. My knee is not where I would like it to be, and I’m not ready to compete yet, but I will do everything possible to be back on court as soon as I can. What I miss the most is, of course, the tournament, the fans and the atmosphere.
I’ve had a great time in the past, including winning the title last year, and I’m very disappointed that I cannot defend it this year, but I’m very happy to come back next year. So I wish everyone a very good tournament, and I’ll see you all very soon on court again." Last season, Sinner captured his second China Open crown by defeating American youngster Learner Tien in straight sets in the Beijing final.
That win followed his earlier triumph at the 2023 edition of the event, cementing his status as one of the tournament’s recent dominant forces. His absence this year not only deprives the event of a defending champion but also has broader implications for the race to finish the season as world number one. At present, Germany’s Alexander Zverev leads the live ATP Race with 8,650 points, while Sinner sits in second place with 7,950 points. The gap could widen further if Zverev adds the 500 points available for a Beijing title while Sinner remains sidelined.
Other players in the top five include Ben Shelton (4,430 points), Carlos Alcaraz (4,050 points) and Italy’s own Flavio Cobolli (3,530 points). The points differential underscores how crucial each tournament becomes in the closing weeks of the season. Looking ahead, Sinner hopes to regain full fitness in time for the Shanghai Masters, which kicks off on October 7 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. The Shanghai event offers a significant opportunity to earn valuable ranking points and to test his recovery against the world’s elite on indoor hard courts.
With Sinner out of the Beijing draw, the spotlight shifts to other headline names, most notably Novak Djokovic. The 24‑time Grand Slam champion, who has not played in China for eleven years, will be one of the marquee attractions at the ATP 500 event. Djokovic is seeking to rebuild momentum after a shocking first‑round loss at the US Open, which saw his ranking tumble to world No. 12.
Historically, he enjoys an unbeaten record at the China Open, having lifted the trophy six times – the most by any player in the tournament’s history. The men’s singles competition at the China Open runs from September 30 through October 6, offering fans a week of high‑stakes tennis despite the absence of the current world number one.
The tournament will still feature a strong field, and the title will be up for grabs among those who can navigate the fast‑paced hard‑court conditions. For viewers, the matches can be streamed without a contract via NOW and the Sky Sports app, while the Laver Cup will also be shown live from The O2 in London between September 25 and 27 on Sky Sports. As the season draws to a close, the tennis world will be watching closely to see how the injury saga unfolds for Sinner and how his rivals capitalize on the points on offer in Beijing and Shanghai.
In summary, Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal from the China Open is a direct result of an ongoing knee issue that has already cost him participation in several major events this year. While his fans and the tournament organizers express disappointment, the Italian’s priority remains a full recovery so he can return to the circuit stronger. Until then, the ATP calendar continues to shift, with Alexander Zverev poised to extend his lead in the race for the year‑end No. 1 spot, and Novak Djokovic aiming to add another China Open title to his impressive résumé.