REPORT: ANI
NEW YORK — World No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the 2026 US Open due to a persistent right knee injury, dealing a major blow to the men’s singles field at the season’s final Grand Slam.
The 25-year-old Italian confirmed his decision after returning to training in Monte Carlo and determining that he needed additional time to recover. Despite working closely with his medical and performance teams, Sinner said he was not ready to compete at the demanding tournament.
Sinner last competed at Wimbledon, where he claimed his fifth Grand Slam title after defeating Alexander Zverev in the final. He subsequently missed the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open because of the knee injury.
His withdrawal is particularly significant as Sinner was among the leading favourites for the US Open. He won the tournament in 2024 and reached the final last year, where he was defeated by Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, the world No. 2, is now set to enter the tournament as one of the leading contenders for the title. His return adds further interest to the competition following a four-month absence from competitive tennis.
Sinner’s withdrawal also means this will be the first time he has missed a Grand Slam tournament since making his major debut at the 2019 US Open. Despite the setback, he remains the world’s top-ranked player.
The 2026 US Open main draw is scheduled to begin on August 30 in New York. Sinner is expected to remain in Europe to continue his rehabilitation, with a possible return targeted for the Asian swing of the ATP Tour.
British player Jack Draper and Denmark’s Holger Rune have also withdrawn from the tournament due to injuries, further reshaping the men’s singles field.
