Jannik Sinner, who currently sits at the summit of 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 has not yet returned to a condition that would allow him to compete safely, and he is still in the process of healing from the same injury that forced him to miss the US Open earlier in the season. Since clinching his second consecutive Wimbledon championship in July, Sinner has not set foot on a court for a competitive match. The injury forced him to sit out the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Masters, two important preparatory tournaments on hard courts, and ultimately led to his withdrawal from the US Open, where he had been a favorite to make a deep run.
In a brief 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." Last season, Sinner captured his second China Open crown by defeating American Learner Tien in straight sets in the final, adding another prestigious title to his rapidly growing résumé. His absence this year removes a major storyline from the event and could have significant implications for his bid to finish the season as the world’s top‑ranked player.
At present, Germany’s Alexander Zverev leads the live ATP Race with 8,650 points, while Sinner trails with 7,950 points. If Zverev capitalises on the points available in Beijing, the gap could widen further, jeopardising Sinner’s chances of retaining the year‑end No.
1 spot. The current top five in the race are: 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 Sinner will be hoping to recover in time for the Shanghai Masters, which kicks off on October 7 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis.
A strong showing in Shanghai could help him regain some ground in the rankings, but the immediate focus remains on a full and careful rehabilitation of his knee. With Sinner out of the Beijing draw, the tournament’s promotional spotlight will shift to Novak Djokovic, the 24‑time Grand Slam champion who is returning to the China Open after an eleven‑year hiatus. Djokovic is eager to rebuild momentum after a surprising first‑round loss at the US Open that dropped his ranking to world No. 12.
The Serbian veteran boasts an impeccable record in Beijing, having secured six titles – the most by any player in the event’s history – and will be looking to add another trophy to his collection. The men’s competition at the China Open runs from September 30 through October 6.
Fans can follow the action via streaming services such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, and those in London have the option to attend the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena from September 25‑27, also televised on Sky Sports. Sinner’s withdrawal underscores the physical toll that a demanding season can exact on even the most elite athletes.
While his absence is a disappointment for supporters who enjoyed his dynamic play and sportsmanship, it also highlights the importance of allowing young talents the time they need to heal fully. The tennis community will be watching closely as he works toward a return, hopeful that he will be back on the court, healthy and ready to compete, before the next major tournament season begins.