World No. 1 Jannik Sinner announced that he will not be taking part in the upcoming China Open, citing that his knee has not yet recovered to a level that would allow him to compete safely. The Italian star, who has been sidelined since his victorious Wimbledon campaign in July, has been dealing with a lingering knee injury that also forced him to miss the US Open earlier this year.
Since lifting his second consecutive Wimbledon trophy, Sinner has not stepped onto a court in a competitive match. He opted out of the Canadian Open and withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters, both of which are important hard‑court preparation events leading up to the US Open. After those withdrawals, he also pulled out of the US Open itself, confirming that his rehabilitation would take longer than initially hoped.
In a statement posted to his social media channels, 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." Sinner’s decision is particularly poignant because he captured the Beijing title in the previous edition, defeating American Learner Tien in straight sets in the final.
That victory marked his second China Open crown, following his triumph in 2023, and cemented his status as a rising force on the ATP Tour. The withdrawal has broader implications for the race to finish the season as world No.
1. With Sinner out of the Beijing event, his closest rival, Germany’s Alexander Zverev, stands to gain a significant points boost. Zverev is already leading the live ATP Race with 8,650 points, while Sinner trails with 7,950 points.
A strong showing by Zverev in Beijing could widen the gap further, making Sinner’s path to reclaim the top spot more challenging. Current ATP Race standings are as follows: 1.
Alexander Zverev – 8,650 points 2. Jannik Sinner – 7,950 points 3. Ben Shelton – 4,430 points 4. Carlos Alcaraz – 4,050 points 5.
Flavio Cobolli – 3,530 points Beyond the immediate points battle, 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. A successful comeback at Shanghai could provide a vital platform for him to gather momentum before the season’s final events. Sinner’s absence also reshapes the headline narrative for the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing. With the world’s top player out, 24‑time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic emerges as one of the marquee attractions.
Djokovic, who has not played in Beijing for eleven years, is eager to rebuild his form after a surprising first‑round defeat at the US Open that saw his ranking slip to No. 12. The Serbian veteran boasts a flawless record at the China Open, having secured six titles – the most in the event’s history – and will be looking to add another trophy to his collection.
The men’s draw for the China Open runs from September 30 through October 6, offering a week of high‑stakes matches for fans worldwide. While Sinner’s withdrawal is a disappointment for many, the tournament still promises compelling storylines, including the potential clash between Djokovic and other top contenders.
For viewers, the event can be streamed without a contract via NOW and the Sky Sports App, and the Laver Cup will also be available live from The O2 in London from September 25‑27 on Sky Sports. As the season draws to a close, the tennis world will be watching closely to see how the rankings settle and which players can capitalize on the opportunities presented by Sinner’s temporary hiatus.
In summary, Jannik Sinner’s decision to sit out the China Open underscores the seriousness of his knee injury and the careful approach he is taking to ensure a full recovery. While his fans and the tournament organizers feel his absence, the ATP calendar remains packed with high‑profile matches, and the race for the year‑end No. 1 spot continues to intensify as the remaining events unfold.