Top-ranked Jannik Sinner Withdraws from the US Open with a Knee Injury

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner announced Friday he will not compete in the US Open, citing a persistent right knee injury that has kept him sidelined since his Wimbledon victory. The 25-year-old Italian stated that despite intensive work with his medical team, he needs more time to recover.

"Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year," Sinner wrote on X. "We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realized that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue. I’m obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart. I was very much looking forward to coming back and playing in the electric atmosphere in front of the great fans there."

Sinner, the reigning 2024 US Open champion, was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in last year's final. Alcaraz, who has also been dealing with a right wrist injury, confirmed his participation in New York. The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has defined recent men's tennis, with the pair meeting in the last three Grand Slam finals in 2025. Alcaraz won the most recent encounter in New York, ending Sinner's title defense after Sinner had beaten Taylor Fritz in the 2024 final.

This withdrawal marks the first Grand Slam tournament Sinner has missed since his major debut at the US Open in 2019. The Italian has had a strong year, holding a 44-3 record with six titles. However, he experienced a notable setback at the French Open, where he lost in the second round after a significant collapse in the heat. He then withdrew from subsequent events until his triumphant return at Wimbledon, securing his fifth Grand Slam title.

“

Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year. We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realized that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue. I’m obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart. I was very much looking forward to coming back and playing in the electric atmosphere in front of the great fans there.