World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdraws from 2026 US Open due to persistent knee injury
The Italian star, who won the 2024 title, will miss the New York major for the first time since his 2019 debut, while rival Carlos Alcaraz confirms his readiness to compete.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has confirmed his withdrawal from the 2026 US Open, citing a right knee injury that has kept him sidelined since his Wimbledon victory. The 25-year-old Italian announced the news on social media on Friday, stating that recent on-court work in Monte Carlo revealed he still requires additional time to recover before the main draw begins on 30 August.
Sinner, a five-time major champion, defeated Alexander Zverev last month to secure his second consecutive Wimbledon title. However, the injury forced him to pull out of the hard-court tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati, which traditionally serve as warm-up events for the US Open. In his statement, Sinner noted that despite working hard with his medical team, the decision to sit out was necessary to ensure a full recovery.
This marks the first time Sinner has missed a Grand Slam tournament since making his major debut at the US Open in 2019. The Italian had previously suffered a notable collapse at the French Open this year, blowing a two-set lead in the second round against Juan Manuel Cerundolo before sitting out until Wimbledon. His current record for the year stands at 44 wins and three losses, with six titles to his name.
The absence of Sinner shifts the competitive focus to his main rival, Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish player posted on social media on Thursday that he is ready to play in New York after being out of action since April due to a right wrist injury. Alcaraz defeated Sinner in last year’s US Open final, a result that ended Sinner’s title reign following his 2024 victory over Taylor Fritz.
The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has dominated men’s tennis in recent years, with the two meeting in the last three Grand Slam finals last year. With Sinner absent, Alcaraz enters the tournament as a key contender, having recovered from his own injury to return to the top of the game.
Sinner’s withdrawal leaves a significant void in the men’s draw, as he was the defending champion from 2024 and the current world number one. The US Open, held at Flushing Meadows, will proceed without the Italian star, who expressed disappointment at missing the “electric atmosphere” of New York.
