World No. 1 Jannik Sinner Withdraws From US Open With Right Knee Injury

Jannik Sinner will miss the US Open for the first time since 2019 after failing to recover from a right knee injury sustained during his Wimbledon title run.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner officially withdrew from the US Open on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 10:18 AM ET. The 25-year-old Italian has been sidelined with a right knee injury since his victory at the All England Club, where he successfully defended his Wimbledon title by defeating Alexander Zverev. This injury previously forced him to skip the Masters 1000 tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati. Sinner currently holds a 44-3 record with six titles this season and remains 5,000 points clear of his nearest rival in the ATP rankings, ensuring his top spot is not under threat despite the withdrawal.

Sinner is only the second ATP No. 1 player to miss the US Open since the ranking system was established in 1973. The only other top-ranked man to do so was Pete Sampras, who missed the 1999 tournament because of a lower back injury. The 2024 Flushing Meadows champion has not competed in a match since his final win in London last month. His absence marks the first time he will miss a Grand Slam event since making his debut at the US Open in 2019.

Recovery Efforts in Monte Carlo

Following his Wimbledon triumph, Sinner’s season included a second-round exit at the French Open, where he collapsed after leading by two sets against Juan Manuel Cerundolo while struggling in the heat. After that loss, he did not play again until Wimbledon, which served as his fifth career Grand Slam title. Recent attempts to return to competition in Monte Carlo over the last few days revealed that the right knee issue required more recovery time.

"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 stated via Instagram. He expressed disappointment at missing the New York atmosphere, noting that the city holds a special place in his heart.

Tournament Seedings and Field Changes

With Sinner out of the bracket, Alexander Zverev will move up to become the top seed for the tournament. The main draw is scheduled to begin on August 30. Sinner’s announcement follows news from rival Carlos Alcaraz, who confirmed his own return to the tour after a four-month absence due to a wrist injury. Alcaraz, who defeated Sinner in the 2023 US Open final, missed both the French Open and Wimbledon this year.

Sinner is the sixth male player to withdraw from the singles draw since the entry list was finalized. The women's side has also seen six players pull out of the competition. Despite these changes, the Italian remains the dominant force on the 2026 tour with five total Grand Slam titles to his name.

Historical Context at Flushing Meadows

Sinner’s history in New York includes his second career Grand Slam title, which he secured at the 2024 US Open. His withdrawal ends a streak of consecutive Grand Slam appearances that began seven years ago. The decision to prioritize long-term health over the final major of the year comes after the medical staff determined he was not yet ready for the physical demands of hard-court play. The 25-year-old had been looking forward to the electric atmosphere of the New York fans before the knee issue persisted during his recent practice sessions on court in Monte Carlo.