'Sad and disappointed' Sinner to miss first Grand Slam in seven years

Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis champion, has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming US Open due to an ongoing right knee injury. This marks the first time in seven years that Sinner, who has been the reigning US Open champion since 2024, has missed a Grand Slam tournament. The 25-year-old athlete, who currently holds the world's top ranking, had been working tirelessly with his medical team to overcome the injury sustained since his Wimbledon victory last year.

Sinner wrote on X, "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." The Italian tennis star expressed his sadness and disappointment, stating that New York has a special place in his heart and that he was eagerly anticipating the tournament.

Sinner, who had previously defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 US Open final, will miss the tournament held from August 30 onwards. The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has been a dominant force in men's tennis over the past few years, with the two facing each other in three successive Grand Slam finals starting from 2025.