World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the 2026 US Open because of a right knee injury, removing one of the biggest names from the final Grand Slam of the year. The Italian star has not played competitively since winning Wimbledon in July and said his knee needs more time to recover before he can return to tournament tennis.
Knee Injury Forces a Difficult Decision
Sinner announced his withdrawal on August 21 after returning to the practice court in Monte Carlo. He had been working with his team and medical staff in hopes of being ready for the US Open, but his recovery did not progress enough for him to compete.
“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.
Sinner added that recent practice sessions showed he was not yet ready for the demands of a Grand Slam tournament.
“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,” Sinner said.
The injury had already forced Sinner to miss the Canadian Open in Montreal and the Cincinnati Open, two important hard-court tournaments leading into the US Open.
New York Holds a Special Place for Sinner
Missing the tournament is especially difficult for Sinner because of his history at Flushing Meadows. He won the US Open in 2024 and returned to the final in 2025, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
“I’m obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart,” Sinner said. “I was very much looking forward to coming back and playing in the electric atmosphere in front of the great fans there.”
His withdrawal also ends a long run of Grand Slam appearances. Sinner had not missed a major tournament since making his Grand Slam main-draw debut at the US Open in 2019.
A Brilliant Season Comes to a Sudden Pause
The injury interrupts what has otherwise been a remarkable 2026 season for Sinner. The Italian has a 44-3 record and has collected six titles, winning at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome and Wimbledon.
His most recent appearance came at Wimbledon, where he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final. The victory gave Sinner his fifth career Grand Slam title and continued his position at the top of men’s tennis.
But Sinner has not played competitively since that July 12 final. His absence from Montreal and Cincinnati raised questions about whether he would recover in time for New York. His decision to withdraw has now confirmed that the injury requires a longer recovery period.
Alcaraz Returns as Sinner Steps Away
Sinner’s withdrawal also changes the picture at the top of the US Open men’s draw. His biggest rival, Carlos Alcaraz, has confirmed that he will return to competition after spending four months away because of a right wrist injury.
The timing means tennis fans will again miss the chance to see both stars healthy at the same major. CNN World Sport’s Don Riddell noted that the pair had entered nine consecutive Grand Slam tournaments and won all nine between them, with Alcaraz taking five and Sinner four. They also faced each other in three Grand Slam finals during that stretch.
Alcaraz defeated Sinner in the 2025 US Open final and now returns to New York without the world No. 1 standing in his way. His comeback makes him one of the leading contenders for the title, although questions remain about his match fitness following the lengthy absence.
Sinner Turns His Attention to Recovery
For Sinner, the priority is now getting his right knee fully healthy rather than risking another setback. His withdrawal is a major loss for the US Open, but it gives the 25-year-old additional time to recover before attempting to return later in the season. For a player who has enjoyed one of the strongest seasons of his career, the decision brings an unexpected pause at the height of his success.
Sinner will miss the opportunity to reclaim the US Open crown, while the men’s draw opens up for Alcaraz and the rest of the field. More importantly, Sinner’s decision gives him the time needed to recover properly as he looks toward the next stage of a career that has already produced five Grand Slam titles.
