World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has announced that he will not be taking part in this year’s China Open, citing the fact that his knee is still not fully recovered after the injury that also forced him to sit out the US Open. The Italian star, who has not stepped onto the court since clinching his second consecutive Wimbledon title in July, decided that he is not yet at a level where he can compete safely in Beijing. Sinner’s absence from the Asian swing has been building for several weeks.
He skipped the Canadian Open and withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters, two important hard‑court preparation events, before ultimately pulling out of the US Open. The decision to miss the Beijing tournament adds another chapter to a season that has been repeatedly interrupted by his knee problem. In a brief statement posted to his social‑media accounts, Sinner expressed regret and explained his situation: "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." His words underline both the disappointment of missing a venue where he captured his second China Open crown last season and his determination to return as soon as his physical condition permits. The 2024 victory in Beijing came after a straight‑sets win over American Learner Tien in the final, cementing Sinner’s status as one of the sport’s rising powerhouses.
The withdrawal has broader implications for the ATP rankings race. With Sinner out of the tournament, his chances of finishing the year as world No.
1 are now in jeopardy. Germany’s Alexander Zverev, who currently leads the Live ATP Race with 8,650 points, stands to gain a further 500 points in Beijing, widening the gap over Sinner, who sits at 7,950 points.
Other contenders such as Ben Shelton (4,430 points), Carlos Alcaraz (4,050 points) and Italy’s own Flavio Cobolli (3,530 points) remain in the mix, but the points swing could be decisive. Zverev’s potential haul in Beijing could solidify his position at the top of the rankings, especially if he advances deep into the draw. Meanwhile, Sinner will be looking ahead to the Shanghai Masters, which begins on October 7. A strong performance there could help him claw back points, but the window is narrow and the competition fierce.
Sinner’s absence also reshapes the narrative surrounding the ATP 500 event. With the world No. 1 out, 24‑time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic emerges as one of the headline attractions. Djokovic, who is making a return to Beijing after an 11‑year hiatus, hopes to rebuild momentum following a surprising first‑round loss at the US Open that dropped him to world No.
12. The Serbian legend boasts a perfect record at the China Open, having won the tournament six times, the most in its history. His participation adds a historic and competitive edge to the event, promising fans an exciting showdown. The men’s draw for the China Open runs from September 30 to October 6, offering a compact but intense week of high‑level tennis.
While Sinner’s fans will miss seeing him defend his title, the tournament still promises marquee matchups, especially with Djokovic’s comeback narrative and Zverev’s quest for additional points. For viewers, the event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis and can also be streamed via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, ensuring that fans worldwide can follow the action despite the absence of the Italian star. The organizers have also advised using the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience. In summary, Jannik Sinner’s decision to sit out the China Open reflects a cautious approach to his knee rehabilitation.
While his withdrawal is a setback for his ranking ambitions and disappoints supporters eager to see a title defense, it also opens the door for other top players to make their mark in Beijing. The tournament will proceed with a strong field, and tennis enthusiasts can look forward to high‑quality matches, especially from Djokovic, Zverev, and other contenders, as the ATP season heads toward its final stretch.