World Number One Jannik Sinner Withdraws From US Open Following Right Knee Injury

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner has officially withdrawn from the US Open, unable to recover from a right knee injury that has sidelined him since capturing the Wimbledon title. Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev last month for his second consecutive title at the All England Club, but subsequently pulled out of the hard-court tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati, which serve as crucial warm-ups for the US Open.

The 25-year-old Italian announced on social media on Friday that he will not be fit when the main draw kicks off on August 30. "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," Jannik Sinner posted on X. "We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realised 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," he added. Jannik Sinner captured the 2024 US Open championship and fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the final last year. Carlos Alcaraz shared on social media on Thursday that he will be ready to compete in New York after being sidelined since April due to a right wrist injury.

The rivalry between them has shaped men's tennis in recent years, with the pair meeting in the last three Grand Slam finals last year. Carlos Alcaraz claimed the most recent encounter with a four-set victory in New York, ending the title reign of Jannik Sinner, who had previously defeated Taylor Fritz in straight sets in the 2024 final.

Jannik Sinner currently holds a 44-3 record with six titles this year. Following a stunning collapse at the French Open where he blew a two-set lead against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, he sat out until Wimbledon, where his triumph secured his fifth Grand Slam title. This marks the first time Jannik Sinner will miss a Grand Slam tournament since making his major debut at the US Open in 2019.