Top-ranked Jannik Sinner withdraws from the US Open with a knee injury

Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the U.S. Open due to a persistent right knee injury that has plagued him since winning the Wimbledon title. The 25-year-old Italian, who currently holds the number one ranking, announced on Friday that he is not ready to compete at the main draw, which begins on August 30. Sinner explained in a post on X that despite his team's and medical staff's efforts, he still requires additional recovery time from his knee issue.

This unexpected withdrawal comes after Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final last month, securing his second consecutive title at the All England Club. He had also withdrawn from the Montreal and Cincinnati tournaments, which typically serve as a warm-up for the U.S. Open.

The injury has dealt a significant blow to Sinner, who had been looking forward to playing in New York, a city he considers special. He expressed his disappointment, stating that he was eager to return to the electric atmosphere of the tournament and face the enthusiastic fans.

Sinner, a two-time U.S. Open champion, lost to Carlos Alcaraz in last year's final. Alcaraz, who has been out since April due to a right wrist injury, has since returned to the court and is ready to compete in New York. The intense rivalry between these two players has been a dominant force in men's tennis in recent years, with both of them facing off in the last three Grand Slam finals held in 2025. Alcaraz ultimately won the most recent match, clinching the title with a four-set victory.

Sinner's current season has been marked by remarkable success, with 44 wins and six titles. His impressive run began at the French Open, where he suffered a dramatic collapse by blowing a two-set lead during a scorching second-round match against Juan Manuel Cerundolo. After that setback, Sinner took a break until Wimbledon, where his victory marked his fifth Grand Slam title. With this latest withdrawal, it will be Sinner's first missed Grand Slam tournament since making his major debut at the U.S. Open in 2019.