Sinner withdraws from 2026 U.S. Open citing right knee injury

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has announced his withdrawal from the 2026 U.S. Open, citing a persistent right knee injury that has delayed his return to competitive play. The 25-year-old Italian, who has been out of action since winning the Wimbledon title last month, made the announcement via a social media post.

In his statement, Sinner explained that despite working closely with his team and medical staff, the decision to sit out the tournament was necessary. He noted that after resuming on-court work in Monte Carlo over the past few days, it became clear that he still required more time to recover from the knee issue.

Sinner expressed his disappointment at missing the event, describing New York as holding a "special place in his heart." He had been looking forward to playing in the "electric atmosphere" in front of the fans, but the physical demands of the tournament proved too much for his current recovery stage.

The withdrawal impacts the tournament's top seed, as Sinner is the reigning Wimbledon champion. He defeated Alexander Zverev in the final at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on 12 July 2026, a victory that marked his most recent competitive appearance before the knee injury sidelined him.

Sinner’s absence from the 2026 U.S. Open follows a mixed history at the venue. He won the tournament in 2024 and finished as the runner-up in 2025, when he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. The 2026 edition will now proceed without the world number one.

According to reporting from Yahoo Sports, no specific timeline for Sinner’s return to competition has been provided, with the focus remaining on his continued recovery.