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 at a level where he feels comfortable competing.
The Italian star, who has been sidelined by a knee injury that also forced him to miss the US Open, said he needs more time to heal before returning to the tour. Since clinching his second straight Wimbledon title in July, Sinner has not stepped onto a court for a competitive match.
The injury has kept him away from several key hard‑court events that normally serve as preparation for the Asian swing. He skipped the Canadian Open, withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters, and ultimately pulled out of the US Open, all in an effort to protect his knee and avoid aggravating the problem.
In a brief statement posted on 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.” He went on to add, “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 entered the Beijing final last year as the defending champion, beating American Learner Tien in straight sets to claim his second China Open crown following his 2023 triumph. The withdrawal not only deprives the event of its top‑seeded player but also hampers Sinner’s chances of securing the year‑end No.
1 ranking. 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.
If Zverev adds another 500 points in Beijing, the gap could widen further, making Sinner’s path to the top spot more challenging. The 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 Sinner will be hoping 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 strong showing in Shanghai could help him close the points deficit and keep his year‑end ambitions alive. In Sinner’s absence, the tournament’s marquee attraction will shift to Novak Djokovic, the 24‑time Grand Slam champion who is returning to Beijing after an 11‑year hiatus.
Djokovic is eager to rebuild momentum after a shocking first‑round loss at the US Open that saw his ranking tumble to world No. 12.
The Serbian legend enjoys a perfect record at the China Open, having captured six titles there, the most in the event’s history. His participation adds a compelling storyline for fans as the men’s draw runs from September 30 to October 6.
The China Open will continue to be streamed on various platforms, with Sky Sports offering live coverage and the Sky Sports App providing on‑demand access. Tennis enthusiasts can also watch other events, such as the Laver Cup at The O2 in London, through the NOW service without a contract.
Overall, while Sinner’s withdrawal is a setback for both the player and the tournament, it underscores the importance of injury management at the elite level. Fans will be eager to see him return to form later in the season, and the ATP calendar still promises plenty of high‑stakes matches as the Asian swing progresses toward the season‑ending championships.