Reported by Musa Antiketu,| Journalist at Obaland magazine.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the 2026 US Open after failing to recover sufficiently from a persistent right knee injury, ruling him out of the final Grand Slam tournament of the season.
The Italian tennis star confirmed his decision on Friday, August 21, saying that further recovery time was necessary despite efforts with his team and medical staff. Sinner had returned to training in Monte Carlo but concluded that he was not yet ready to compete at the highest level.
“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 said in a statement.
The 2024 US Open champion also expressed disappointment at missing the tournament in New York, where he has established himself as one of the leading figures in men’s tennis.
Sinner’s withdrawal follows earlier absences from the Canadian Open in Montreal and the Cincinnati Open as he managed the knee problem. His last competitive appearance came at Wimbledon, where he successfully defended his title by defeating Alexander Zverev in the final.
Despite the setback, Sinner has enjoyed a remarkable 2026 season. According to the US Open’s official website, he entered the tournament period with a 44-3 record and six titles, including major victories at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome and Wimbledon.
His absence represents a significant change to the men’s singles landscape at the US Open. Sinner had been among the strongest contenders for the championship and was expected to be central to another chapter in his growing rivalry with Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, who defeated Sinner in the 2025 US Open final, confirmed a day earlier that he would return to competition in New York after being sidelined by a right wrist injury since April.
With Sinner out, the men’s draw is expected to provide increased opportunities for other leading contenders, including Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic and several American players seeking a breakthrough on home soil. The official US Open website noted that players such as Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Flavio Cobolli could also benefit from the reshaped field.
Sinner’s withdrawal also ends his run of appearances at Grand Slam tournaments since his debut at Wimbledon in 2019, according to Spanish sports outlet AS. The Italian remains the world’s No. 1 player despite the setback.
The 2026 US Open is scheduled to take place in New York, with the tournament’s main draw beginning later this month. Sinner’s decision to prioritize recovery underscores the physical demands of the professional tennis calendar and the importance of managing injuries over the long term.
For the world No. 1, attention will now turn to rehabilitation and a return to competitive tennis when he is fully fit. His withdrawal is undoubtedly a major loss for the tournament, but it also creates a more open men’s singles contest in which several elite players will have an opportunity to claim the season’s final Grand Slam title.
Sources
- US Open Official Website
- Reuters
- Associated Press/ABC News
- ATP Tour
- Olympics.com
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the 2026 US Open due to a persistent right knee injury, reshaping the men’s Grand Slam title race.
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